Albert Samuel Bowden was born in Somerset and raised in the Bristol area where he was a printer. He married in 1910 and had a daughter. He served in the army and was based in the Chelmsford area early in the war. He died at the Chelmsford & Essex Hospital in December 1914. His body was taken to Somerset for burial.

Albert was born in Bedminster, Somerset in 1878, the son of Tomas Alfred Bowden and Alice Maud Mary Bowden (nee Spurlock).

In the 1881 and 1891 censuses he was recorded in Bedminster. Around 1902 he married Annie, and in 1910 the couple had a daughter Marjorie Nell Bowden. The following year the census recorded Albert, aged 32, with his wife, daughter and mother at 115 Stackpool Rd, Southville, in Bristol. He was a printer.

During the First World War Albert served as Corporal 2099 in the 6th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment. During the early months of the war the battalion was billeted in the Chelmsford area.

On 22nd December 1914 Albert died at Chelmsford & Essex Hospital while on active service, aged 35. At the time his home was still 115 Stackpool Road in Southville.

Albert funeral was held at Bedminster Parish Church on Boxing Day 1914. A report in The Western Daily Press recorded:

"The funeral took place on Saturday, from the deceased's  late residence in Stackpool Road, Bedminster, of Private Bowden, A Company 6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, now on the East Coast.

The 6th Gloucestershire Reserves supplied then band, gun-carriage, and firing party, The F Company acted as escort. Lieut. Gardner was in command, with Second Lieutenant Blenkinsop and Second Lieutenant Langford.

The funeral service took place in Bedminster Church, and the interment at Arno's Vale Cemetery. The last post was sounded by the buglers of the 6th (Reserve) Gloucestershire Regiment, the firing party firing the usual volleys."

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