A Set of Eleven Second War Insignia Attributed to Military Cross Recipient; Lieutenant Maynard Charles Denison Bowman: Includes: three Aldershot-Made Royal Canadian Regiment Shoulder Flashes (each badge with a different shade of yellow embroidered lettering inscribed "THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT" stitched upon bases in varying shades of blue wool, each on a black wool base, 32 mm x 130 mm, 35 mm x 122 mm and 35 mm x 127 mm); an unused Royal Canadian Regiment Jacket Patch (gold-coloured and silvered bullion wire, in various textures, maroon felt in the void of the crown, touches of red and green embroidery in the base of the crown, black threading giving definition to the crown, 140 mm x 175 mm); an 8th Army Patch (yellow and black embroidered cross on a white wool shield, sewn upon a black wool base via white threading, black cotton mesh backer, 52 mm x 55 mm); five 1st Canadian Infantry Division Sleeve Patches (one badge has a red cotton obverse and black cotton reverse, water-resistant stiff frame, 47 mm x 73 mm; four badges are red wool, one of which has a serrated edge, 47 mm x 75 mm, 50 mm x 75 mm, 50 mm x 78 mm and 85 mm x 88 mm); and a Royal Regiment of Canada Cap Badge (two-piece construction, silvered insignia mounted to a bronze gilt base, unmarked, 45 mm x 55.5 mm, intact lugs and pin). Extremely fine.
Footnote: Maynard Charles Denison Bowman was born in Bermuda, the son of Reverend B.A. Bowman of Halifax and Maud E. Bowman. He was educated at Trinity College School in Toronto, Ontario. His grandfather, Major-General Septimus Denison, once commanded the Royal Canadian Regiment at Toronto. Lieutenant Maynard Charles Denison Bowman was with No. 9 Platoon, "A" Company, The Royal Canadian Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, when he was recommended for the Military Cross, for actions of valour taken at Nissoria, Sicily on July 25, 1943, his citation reading: "At Nissoria (Sicily) on the 25 July 1943 at approx 1730 hours this officer on his own initiative led his platoon in an attack on a strong enemy position. Although his platoon was cut off from the battalion he kept advancing towards the battalion objective, which he hoped to reach independently. At one point the platoon was fired on by a machine gun post on the high ground South-East of the town which engaged them at very close range. He issued his orders from his exposed position with coolness and decision. One of his sections was then able to work forward against extremely active small arms fire, and to assault the enemy positions as well, Lt. Bowman personally continued to lead his platoon through intense enemy fire in the attack which was successful in gaining past of the enemy feature. This officer showed great determination, initiative and devotion to duty." The announcement of his award of the Military Cross appeared in the Supplement to the London Gazette 36297 of Tuesday, December 21, 1943, on Tuesday, December 23, 1943, page 5573. His father had predeceased him, so his mother later received a copy of his citation. She was also notified that Lieutenant Denison Bowman was wounded in both arms in the fighting in Italy on Christmas Eve, December 1943, just before the capture of Ortona. He was one of twenty-two men on the latest casualty list of the time, of which seven were reported killed in action, two seriously wounded and thirteen wounded, most of which were serving with the Central Ontario Regiment in Italy. For his Second World War service, he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Italy Star and the War Medal 1939-1945. He was married to Doris Elizabeth O'Neil, the couple later having three children together: a daughter, Susan Margaret Bowman and two sons, Neil Maynard Bowman and Donald James Bowman. Lieutenant Maynard Charles Denison Bowman's younger brother, Stephen Bowman, served with a tank regiment during the war.
