Imperial War Graves Commission 33-38 Baker Street, London, England

This is the final letter in the Bowes Brothers collection. The newly named Imperial War Graves Commission promises that Clifford Bowes will be commemorated. It lived up to that promise and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, which honours more than 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers who fought in the area with no known grave. It was unveiled in 1927.

Madam,

With reference to previous correspondence, I am directed to inform you that a report has now been received from the Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries in France, stating that in spite of a very thorough and methodical search in the vicinity of Zonnebeke, North East of Ypres, where Private D.C. Bowes is reported to be buried, no trace can be found of the grave.

You may rest assured should any information be received at a later date, you will be at once informed.

It is the intention of the Commission to erect memorials to those Officers and men whose graves cannot be found.

The precise form which this memorial will take is not yet decided but you may rest assured that the dead who have no known resting place will be honoured equally with the others, and that each case will be dealt with upon full consideration of its merits as regards the site and place of the memorial,

I am, Madam, you obedient servant,

For the Principal Assistant Secretary