Joe's image as it appears on STEPHEN McGREAL's book of the CHESHIRE BANTAMS.
(From a copy of the original I sent to the author)
Private Joseph John Flowers
15th Battalion The Cheshire Regt (Bantams)
Joseph was born in Marylebone London in 1895 and elder brother to George Arthur Flowers.
Joseph enlisted in Marylebone London
In 1915 the minimum height requirement for an infantryman in the British Army (5ft3ins) was lowered to (5ft) and the decision was taken to form "BANTAM" units from the resulting flow of recruits. Permission was initially given to raise one "BANTAM" Battalion (15th Cheshire) but a second was quickly formed (16th Cheshire) to supply wastage. The men for these units were recruited from all parts of Great Britain and Ireland and included many miners. The third battalion (23rd Manchester) was transferred from the 30th Division to the 35th and these units were the nucleus of the 35th "BANTAM" Division. It was difficult to provide a flow of "BANTAM" recruits and for this reason the artillery, engineers and pioneers of the 35th never accepted "BANTAMS" although it's twelve infantry battalions all became "BANTAM" units.The bantams were very popular at home and were often featured in the press. However, by the end of 1916, it was found that the general fitness and condition of men volunteering as bantams was no longer up to the standard required. Brigades were informed that no more undersized men would be accepted, and the Divisions lost their bantam status as replacements diluted the number of small men in the mix.
Joseph was killed in action on the 24th November 1917 aged 22.
Joe's Grave in Cement House Cemetery Langemark Belgium
Click on picture for C.W.G. Website
