Eric was born at 81, St James’ Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent to parents Henry William Stuart Gower (1884-1973) and Edith Alice Geering (1887–1934) on 14th August 1923. His identical twin brother was christened Dennis Aubrey (1923-1997).

There were six children in the family, three girls and three boys. When the twins were 11 years old their mother died and their eldest sister, Edith (then aged 23) played an important part in the twins’ upbringing.

In September 1934 they began their secondary school education at The Skinners’ School, Tunbridge Wells. This was, and still is, a boys-only State school that admitted pupils based on academic ability at age 11.

They completed their London University School Certificate and left in December 1939. On leaving school, both boys were employed at local branches of the Midland Bank Ltd, now part of the international banking group HSBC.

In 1941 both twins were conscripted into the armed forces. Dennis joined the Royal Navy and Eric went into the Army. Eric joined the 1st Battalion, The Royal Norfolk Regiment which landed in Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944).

From then until October 1944 they fought their way up to the Netherlands. Eric was killed in the battle to cross the Moolen Beek between Overloon and Venraij, in the Netherlands, on 16th October 1944. He is buried in the Commonwealth Graves Commission Cemetery at Overloon.

Until very recently, Eric’s name did not appear on the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town War Memorial. Apparently his father was offended by the requirement for families to pay for the names of their loved ones to be recorded there and consequently he refused the ‘honour’. However, as a result of various local people’s interest in Eric’s story, the Borough Council have added a special plaque to the Memorial to commemorate Eric’s service and sacrifice.

My father planned to give Eric a signet ring as a 21st birthday present on 14th August 1944. The separation of the two brothers, one on board ship and the other in the Netherlands meant the ring was never given. My father wore it throughout his life. When he died in 1997, the ring was passed to me and I now wear it all the time—a constant reminder of the events of 1944.

Eric’s name is recorded on the war memorial in the Skinner’s School as well as the one in St James’ Church, Royal Tunbridge Wells. It is also recorded in the Royal Norfolk’s Roll of Honour that is included in the Battalion History and on the national HSBC memorial located in its UK head office in Canary Wharf, London.

On 7th December 1946, Eric’s twin brother, Dennis Aubrey, married Kathleen May who had served in Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS; popularly and officially known as the Wrens) during the War. On 3rd November 1947, I was born to them and subsequently named Eric Gordon in honour of my father’s brother.

Eric Gordon Gower (Nephew of Pte Eric Gower 14283861)
October 2022
Llangattock, Wales, UK

Cousin Eric Gordon Gower