By Ed Chatterton

A poppy sent by a British soldier from the First World War trenches to his 'darling wife' before he was killed in battle has been discovered after 108 years.

The pressed flower was forever treasured by the grieving widow of Private James Bowen who lost his life while serving in France on September 26, 1917.

He had sent the poppy two years previously to Mrs A Bowen with a postcard featuring the message: "To my darling wife, love to you from your loving husband."

Heartbreakingly, it was followed by a letter from France dated October 1, 1917, delivering the news of Pte Bowen's tragic death in action.

It informed her that her husband had been killed instantaneously in a shell attack just a year before the conflict ended and that he would be "greatly missed."

The letter added: "You have the consolation of knowing that he died fighting for his king & country, which is the highest honour a soldier can have."

Mrs Bowen also poignantly kept letters and gallantry medals sent to her following the loss of her war hero husband and treasured them her entire life.

His medals include a 1914 Mons Star, 1914-18 War Medal and Victory Medal inscribed '9595 Pte J Bowen 1st Shropshire Light Infantry' with original ribbons.

The militaria collection, which reveals a 'heartbreaking tale of love and loss from the trenches', could now fetch £1,000-£1,500 at Hansons Auctioneers on November 7.

William Hayward, militaria valuer at Hansons, said: "This find is unique and heartbreaking. There is nothing more poignant than seeing a poppy from the WW1 battlefields.

"Knowing it was sent from the trenches during that brutal conflict makes it a moving memento. It has survived for more than 100 years as a testament to love.

"We believe the poppy was sent to Mrs Bowen in 1915 and treasured forever along with her husband's. military memorabilia.

"You gain an inkling of her pain because the items are quite worn. She must have looked at them countless times throughout her life.

"That would never happen if they were put away and forgotten. She was one of thousands of young women torn apart from their loved ones by the Great War.

"That was hard enough but years of worrying and waiting followed.

"So many dreaded a letter telling them their son or husband had been lost in action. Mrs Bowen received that news 106 years ago.

"A note with the 1914 Star medal praises her husband's service in the British Armed Services in France and Belgium in 1914 and assured her of the King's high appreciation of services rendered.

"But a few words can't mend a broken heart. The fact that she kept everything from that point in her life reveals the impact of his loss.

"It's sad to think James made it through three years of conflict to the autumn of 1917, one year before the war ended in 1918.

"His commanding officer described him as a cheery man who lifted the spirits of those around him.

"He believed he would pull through. Sadly, he was one of 750,000 British servicemen killed during WW1.

"Pte Bowen's poppy, medals and military record bear testament to his bravery, and a wife's devotion.

"It's an important reminder of the terrible human cost of all wars."

Pte Bowen's officer, R P Allday of the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, informed Mrs Bowen, of Edgeley, Stockport, of her husband's death on September 26, 1917.

The letter in full read:

• 7th K.S.L.I (Kings Shropshire Light Infantry)
• B.E.F (British Expeditionary Force)
• France
• Oct 1st 1917

Dear Mrs Bowen

It is with the deepest regret I have to inform you of the death in action of your husband Pte J Bowen.

He was killed by a shell early on in the attack, death being instantaneous, you probably know he was my servant (bat man), he was always eager and willing to assist me in every way and always looked after me very well, so that I shall miss him greatly.

Before we went into action he was most cheery and greatly assisted in keeping the spirits of the men up.

Although he did not have the good fortune to come through safely, as he told me we were both going to, just before we went away, you have the consolation of knowing that he died fighting for his king & country, which is the highest honour a soldier can have.

With the deepest sympathy in your bereavement of all the officers, NCO's (non-commissioned officers) & men in the company.

I simply, 

Sincerely yours

R. P. Allday 2lt

~

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