| 8. |  Thomas Bourchier Bowker, Hon. Dr. LLB., M.P. was born on 28 Sep 1889 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 6 Nov 1889 in Grahamstown Church (St George's - Anglican), Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa (son of Bourchier Bowker and Charlotte Jemima Hallier); died on 21 Jul 1964 in Bedford Hospital, Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Other Events and Attributes:
- 1820 Lineage: Yes
- Residence: 1915, Signal Hill, Albany, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Notes:
Member of Parliament for Albany.
Thomas Bourchier BOWKER died 21 July 1964 in the Bedford Hospital, Bedford, Eastern Cape as per "Familia," 1964 Vol 1 Issue 1 Pg 6.
He was educated in 1907 Marist Brothers, Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope. Between 1936 and 1964 he was M.P. for Albany, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa.
He was educated Hon.Dr.LLB, in 1964 Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Albany, Republic of South Africa. He was educated Rockliffe School, Sidbury, Cape of Good Hope. He was Orange River Irrigation Scheme. He was an Ostrich Farmer with Norman White until the feather slump in 1914.
"Thomas Bourchier BOWKER, M.P. for Albany since 1936, had just applied for membership to the GSSA when he died suddenly of a stroke in the Bedford Hospital on the 21st July 1964. Affectionately known as Uncle Tom. He was the son of Bouchier BOWKER and was born in Bedford on 28th September 1889. He married Gladys Elaine HART who predeceased him earlier this year. They leave two sons and a daughter.
Tom Bowker worked for many years on the Orange River Irrigation Scheme and was at last successful in getting the Government to take up this work with its series of dams and waterways.
He was also the prime mover in the 1820 Settler Monument now being built in Grahamstown. Unfortunately he did not live to see these two projects realised.
I.B.M".
"1. Went to Rockcliffe School, Sidbury then wrote matric at Marist Brothers, Port Elizabeth in 1907. Ostrich farming with Norman White until the feather slump of 1914. Then Sheep Farming.
MP for Albany 1936 - 1964. Hon. Dr. of Law from Rhodes University in 1964.
2. He was the founder of the 1820 Settler Monument in Grahamstown for which he personally canvassed great sums of money. Allied to it were the Settler Museum, the Indigenous Nature Reserve and the Student Bursaries.
3. He published many books of Settler Memoirs and marked historical Settler sites.
Extract from 'The Bowkers of Tharfield' by Ivan and Raymond Mitford-Barberton.
"The passing of the Marketing Act, Children's Act and the string of social legislation which has been placed on the statute books during the Smuts Regime received his particular attention. He was a personal friend of General Hertzog but voted in favour of the Declaration of War on the 4th September 1939. He was Captain on the Reserve of Officers and endeavoured to resign his seat in Parliament and volunteered for active service. General Smuts personally prevented this. He was the first Member of Parliament to take a Military Course at Roberts' Heights during World War II and passed his Captain's examination with merit."
see His letter re the 1820 Settlers Monument Trust
Baptised: 1889, Nov 6
Born: September 28 1889
Parents: Bourchier & Charlotte Jemima BOWKER
Occupation: Farmer
Residence: Signal Kop, Fish River, Albany
Witnesses: Benjamin Thos. Hellier & The Parents
Baptised by: Robert J Mullins
Source: Grahamstown - St George (Anglican), Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Baptism register, 1869-1908, page 103, entry number 4012. Repository: Cory Library, MS 14 878-4.
Thomas married Gladys Elaine Hart on 14 Apr 1914. Gladys (daughter of Stephanus Jacobus Hart and Mary Jane Cottingham) was born on 9 Nov 1884 in Cathcart, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 26 Apr 1885 in Cathcart, Eastern Cape, South Africa; died on 16 Jan 1964 in Settler's Hospital, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Signal Hill farm cemetery, Carlisle Bridge, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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John Bourchier Bowker was born on 13 Dec 1915 in Dunskye, Cathcart district Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 1 Jan 1916 in Grahamstown Cathedral (St Michael and St George), Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa (son of Thomas Bourchier Bowker, Hon. Dr. LLB., M.P. and Gladys Elaine Hart); died on 24 Nov 1991 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Waainek New Cemetery, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. 
Gladys Elaine Hart was born on 9 Nov 1884 in Cathcart, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was christened on 26 Apr 1885 in Cathcart, Eastern Cape, South Africa (daughter of Stephanus Jacobus Hart and Mary Jane Cottingham); died on 16 Jan 1964 in Settler's Hospital, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa; was buried in Signal Hill farm cemetery, Carlisle Bridge, Eastern Cape, South Africa. 
