Trafford

Born at Thetford, Norfolk on the 16th September 1891, the birth being
registered during the December quarter 1891 in the Mitford R.D. - ref:
4a/267, the son of Horace & Mary Ann Gowing (nee Wilkins).    Baptised at
the Parish Church of Cranworth & Letton, Norfolk on the 3rd January 1892. 
Son of Horace (Gamekeeper) & Mary Ann Gowing.

His mother - Mary Ann Gowing died during the September quarter 1900 in the
Church Stretton R.D. - ref: 6a/347 - aged: 42.  His father then married -
Mary Ellen Breckill during the December quarter 1901 in the Bucklow R.D. -
ref: 8a/304.    Mary Ellen was born at Sale.

Commencing the 5th September 1898, he attended the Smethcote National
Church of England School, Shropshire.   His address was given as Church
Stretton and his father's occupation as Gamekeeper.

1901 Census - Fen End, Balsall, Solihull, Warwickshire.   Grandson - aged:
9 - born: Cranworth, Norfolk.   Head of household - William Wilkins
(Maternal Grandfather) - Widower - aged: 75 - occ: Farmer - born:
Berkswell, Warwickshire.   Also - Horace Gowing (Wilfred's father) -
Widower - aged: 36 - occ: Gamekeeper (Domestic) - born: Snitterfield,
Warwickshire.    Plus 4 siblings.

Enlisted into the Merchant Navy, on the 2nd October 1908, aged: 16.    He
was then 5 feet 1 1/2 inches in height with a chest measurement of 32 1/12
inches.   He has Brown hair, Blue eyes and a Fresh complexion.   He also
had a scar on the left side of his chin and a mole on his left cheek.   He
first served as a Boy Steward on HMS Pembroke 1 (a naval Shore Base at
Chatham, Kent) from the 2nd October 1908 until the 15th September 1909,
then from the 16th September 1909 until the 1st August 1910, he served as
an Ordinary Seaman 3rd Class.  He next served aboard HMS St. George (a
first-class cruiser of the Edgar Class) from the 2nd August 1910 until the
19th September 1910, still as an Ordinary Seamaan 3rd Class until he was
promoted to Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class on the 20th September 1910.  He left
HMS St. George on the 31st March 1911   Finally, he served aboard Shore
Establishment - HMS Actaeon, still as Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class, from the
1st April 1911 until the 10th June 1911.  His Character was recorded as
"Very Good".

1911 Census - His Majesty's Ship Torpedo Boat No. 20 that had a crew of 16.
  Listed as aged: 19 - occ: Officer's Steward (2nd class) - Place of birth:
Not Known.

His father - aged: 45 - occ: Gamekeeper, residing with his second wife -
Mary Ellen Gowing at the Gamekeeper's  Lodge, Forest Farm, Blyth,
Rotherham, Hodsock, Nottinghamshire.   With them was 2 of Wilfred's sisters
and his 3 half siblings.

The S.S. Combe was a steel hulled 2,030 ton steam cargo ship and a hired
ammunition carrier.   She left Liverpool on the 12th October 1916 to sail
to Archangelsk, with Ammunition.   She was last seen, out of convoy, on the
14th October 1915 and was lost without trace sometime after that date.  
This was not a period of much U-Boat activity, so it could have hit a mine
somewhere.

CWGC - Son of Horace Gowing of The Lince, Blenheim Park, Woodstock and the
late Mary Ann Gowing.  Born at Oxford.???

Probate was granted at Oxford, to his father - Harry Gowing, on the 4th
July 1916.    His Estate was valued at £120. 11. 0d.