Edward Bowater

Sir Edward Bowater (13 July 1787 – 14 December 1861)

Background and education Born in St James's Palace, Bowater descended from a Coventry family and was the only son of the Admiral Edward Bowater. He was educated at Harrow School and went then to the University of Oxford, where he graduated with a Doctor of Civil Law. Bowater was present in the Battle of Copenhagen (1807) and was then transferred with his regiment to Portugal. In December he left for England, however returned to the Peninsular War after two years. and when Napoleon returned from his exile in 1815, he led his men in the Battle of Quatre Bras. and in 1837 to major-general, after which he was awarded a Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order. and became lieutenant-general in November.

At court Bowater was nominated an equerry to King William IV in 1832, a position he held until the King's death six years later. In 1840 he was admitted to Prince Albert, who had shortly before arrived at the court, until 1846, when he was appointed Groom in Waiting in Ordinary to the latter's wife Queen Victoria. Bowater died after short illness in Cannes in 1861, on the same day as his former master the Prince Consort, while accompanying the latter's son Prince Leopold on a sojourn.