Cpl. Stanley Bowen

Tweeting the Great War: Free Press retraces steps of Winnipeg soldier wfp.to/signedstanley

This brings to a close our "live tweeting" of more than 1,000 days in the First World War life of Stanley Bowen, told through his letters to Mary McNair. For a recap of Stanley and Mary's love story, see our 2014 story, "Letters from the Trenches" wfp.to/letters #wfp

Mary joins Stanley for eternity at Chapel Lawn on March 27, 1984. The grave marker reads, “The Gardener and His Love.” #wfp

Stanley and Mary's almost seven-decade love story comes to a close when Mary dies after a lengthy illness on March 25, 1984 at age 88. She is survived by their daughter, son, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. #wfp

Decades after he leaves the trenches, Stanley dies at age 64 on Feb. 19, 1959. He is buried in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens and survived by his wife, son, daughter, a sister and two brothers. #wfp

Even though Stanley wrote about his disapproval of Mary working at Eaton's during the war, after their two children grew up she went back to work there in the ladies department. (Photo: Stanley and Mary in 1957) #wfp

Just as he vowed during the war, Stanley always made sure there were summer flowers blooming on the property that he could bring in for Mary. (Photo: Stanley and Mary with an unidentified person in the garden behind their home.)

Stanley and Mary purchased a house on the banks of the Assiniboine River in St. James – just east of where the Moray Bridge is now. (Photo: the couple on the steps of their home.) #wfp

Stanley went back to work at the company which owned the Nutty Club. (Photo: Stanley, at left, in the offices of Scott-Bathgate, popularly known as Nutty Club.)

Almost a year after Stanley returned from the war, after sending more than 150 letters to her, he married his sweetheart, Mary McNair, on Jan. 21, 1920.

Interestingly – for a soldier who was treated for months in England – his discharge medical examination, on March 14, 1919, found he was in good health and makes no mention of earlier injuries.

The war may have ended on Nov. 11, 1918, but Stanley Bowen wasn’t discharged from his military service until April 8, 1919. #wfp

[Administrator's note: During the next few days we will give you a quick tweet chronicle of the rest of Stanley's life. 2/2] #wfp

[Administrator's note: For the twitter followers of Corp. Stanley Bowen – also known as SignedStanley – Nov. 24, 1918 marked the last letter we know he sent during his two-year odyssey during the First World War. 1/2] #wfp

Signed off my letter to my sister today with “so long for now, and best of luck – Stan”

My sister wants me to send a photo of me. I told her I’ll get one taken and if it is any good I’ll send it to her.

I now belong to the 18th Reserve now. I’ll have to tell people at home to send letters to me there because I don’t know when I’ll be going home.

My sister – along with Mary - has written to me regularly. I’m glad because there’s nothing good to read here.

I consider myself mighty lucky that I haven’t contracted the flu. From what I hear it is raising the deuce in Canada and the United States – I hope it doesn’t affect my loved ones at home. #wfp

The flu has caused quite a stir here – thankfully there have been no fresh cases for a few days now so things are back to normal.

I’m still attached to the 21st Reserve, but I’m trying to get back to my own reserve, even though I might leave at any time.