Owen Tanner Bowles

"Mr Owen Bowles is now retired from active farming and his business interests in Harding (1974).

as a young boy he attended a farm school run by his sister, Ethel, and then went to the Kokstad Public School for two years on horseback. In 1900 he went to school in Harding and lived with his sister, Lilian. The Headmaster of the Harding School was Mr A.E. Ingle.

In 1907 he joined the Border Mounted Rifles and when the First World War broke out in 1914 he was called up and proceeded to South West Africa. He was a sergeant at the time. In 1918 he returned to Harding and married Gladys Westbrook. He went into a trading partnership with Mr Lindsay Smith and in 1934 took over the business. He also then retired from the Border Mounted Rifles, holding the rank of Captain.

Mr Bowles took an active part in the civic affairs of Harding. He was a member of the Town Board for 20 years, of which he was chairman for 11 years. He opened the Town Hall in 1935 and the new Town Hall in 1970." (Page 102 - Hearts of Oak - 100 Years In Pondoland - Lyle M. Rock) - copy now in my possession - Neville Owen