Battlefield poppy which tragic WWI British soldier sent to his ‘darling wife’ before he was killed by a shell in 1917 is unearthed a century later

A battlefield poppy that a British World War I soldier sent to his loving wife before he was killed in action has been discovered a century later.

Private James Bowen, of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, picked the flower in the summer of 1915 in northern France.

He placed it in an envelope with an embroidered postcard with flowers, addressed to “my dear wife, much love from your loving husband.”

In September 1917, Pte Bowen, who boasted of his morale with his ‘cheerful’ attitude, was killed instantly by a shell during an attack.

His grieving widow, from Edgeley, Stockport, Greater Manchester, kept the poppy, his campaign medals and the letter informing her of his death.

The moving archive has now been offered for sale for £1,500 with Hansons Auctioneers, of Etwall, Derbyhire.

Written by Pte Bowen’s commanding officer, RP Allday, it reads: ‘It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband, Pte J. Bowen.

‘He was killed by a grenade early in the attack and death was instantaneous. You probably know that he was my servant (batman), he was always ready and willing to help me in any way possible and always took very good care of me, so I will miss him very much.

‘Before we went into action he was very cheerful and helped enormously in keeping the men’s spirits up.

“Although he was not fortunate enough to get through safely, as he told me we were both going, just before we left you have the comfort of knowing that he died fighting for his king and country, which is the highest . honor that a soldier can have.’

The archive is offered for sale at Hansons Auctioneers, sent by a distant relative.

William Hayward, militaria appraiser at Hansons, said: ‘This find is unique and heartbreaking. There is nothing more poignant than seeing a poppy from the First World War battlefields.

‘Knowing that it was sent with love from France during that brutal conflict makes it a moving keepsake. It has been around for over 100 years as a testament to love.

He wrote on the postcard ‘To my dear wife, I love you from your loving husband’

His grieving widow, from Edgeley, Stockport, Greater Manchester, kept the poppy, his campaign medals and the letter informing her of his death.

‘We believe the poppy was sent to Mrs Bowen in 1915. She cherished it forever, along with her husband’s military memorabilia.

‘You get a sense of her pain because the items are quite worn. She must have watched it countless times throughout her life. That would never happen if they were put away and forgotten.

‘She was one of thousands of young women torn from their loved ones by the Great War. That was hard enough, but months and years of worry and waiting followed.

‘So many were afraid of a letter saying that their son or husband had died. Mrs. Bowen received that news 106 years ago.

‘A 1914 Star Medal note commended her husband’s service with the British forces in France and Belgium in 1914 and assured her of the King’s high regard for the services rendered. But a few words can’t heal a broken heart.

“The fact that she kept everything from that point in her life reveals the impact of her loss.”

He continued: ‘It is sad to think that James survived the three years of conflict until the autumn of 1917, a year before the war ended in 1918.

“His commander described him as a cheerful man who lifted the spirits of those around him. He really believed he would get through it.

‘Sadly he was one of the 750,000 British soldiers who died during the First World War.

“Pte Bowen’s poppy, medals and military record are testaments to his bravery and his wife’s dedication.

“It is an important reminder of the terrible human cost of all wars.”

Pte Bowen’s medal group consists of the 1914 Star; War medal and victory medal 1914-1918.

The sale will take place on November 7.