Sergeant Edward Rowe died during operations at Rots and Le Hamel, France. Son of William Henry and Bessie Maud Rowe, of Trevelmond, Cornwall; husband of Veronica Beatrice Rowe.

 

Mne. A.W. Pettey of 'A' troop recalls "We come to a large cornfield my orders being in charge of the 2 inch mortar is to range on the hedgerow so that any Jerries who could be in this cover will keep their heads down while the troops move through the cornfield. The first bombs I fire are smoke and things are running smoothly. Unfortunately when our lads move out of the cornfields the Germans open up with machine guns and mortars causing casualties. I manage to fire some more smoke bombs but realise I have started too late. As I look along the hedge I see  Marine Reuben Garlick (Curly), Sgt James Smith, Sgt George Rowe and several others of our troop all laid down and in a firing position, motionless, all dead! Later I crawl out to see if Curly is still alive but he has been shot through the eye, I can see he and the others have gone from us." (*A.)

 

Edward George Rowe was born in Liskeard Cornwall, one of 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls.  His brothers both survived the war, Fred serving in the Army and Charlie in the Navy. After working as a farm labourer, he entered service with the Royal Marines on the 27th May 1941. He was promoted Corporal in  July 1943, and Sergeant in August 1943 when 46RM Commando was established. (*B.)