Eunice Bowman
Encyclopedia
Eunice Bowman was a British supercentenarian
from Gateshead
, and at the age of 111 years 327 days was the oldest person in the United Kingdom
following the death of Florrie Baldwin
on 8 May 2010.
, Lancashire
, England, as the second of twelve children born to Thomas and Sarah Crook (née Hosler). Bowman was baptized on 13 November 1898 at Christ Church, Ince-In-Makerfield, Wigan
, Lancashire. At Ince, the Crook family lived at 38, Bird Street, near Wigan. The family moved to Felling, Gateshead in 1905 following to the decline in the textile industry so Thomas could work in the coal mines. Bowman was kept off school each week to help look after her younger siblings and do the washing and ironing. After school, Bowman worked in a fish & chip shop with her grandmother. During World War I
, Bowman worked seven days per week in 12-hour shifts at the Armstrong Munitions factory in Newcastle
, walking daily from Felling to Scotswood
. Bowman started with messenger work, and then worked on putting gunpowder
in the fuses. On Christmas Day 1919, Bowman married Robert Pearson and had four children, Norman, Tommy, Doris and Connie. In 1928, Robert Pearson aged 28 had complications of tuberculosis
and died. During World War II
, she re-married to Frank Bowman and had two children named Sheila (who died in infancy) and Ann. In 1950, Frank died. In 1953, her father, Thomas Crook died at 74. Eunice looked after her mother Sarah until her death in 1970, at age 92. Until age 84, Bowman worked at a fish and chip shop with her sister Annie, who also reached her 100th birthday. In 2008, a week after her 110th birthday, Bowman re-opened St. Mary's lighthouse, Whitley Bay. This marked the 110th anniversary of both the lighthouse and Bowman's birthday. She outlived all of her siblings and the majority of her children. All her children from her first marriage are now dead, the last being Connie who died in February 2010. On the death of Florrie Baldwin, Bowman became the oldest living person in the UK. Her daughter, Ann said that Bowman "always had a very positive attitude and just had simple pleasures. She has always had a nice outlook on life and is always smiling." At her 111th birthday, Bowman said "I have never drank alcohol or smoked. I have had a happy life" Bowman died on 16 July 2010 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. She was buried at Heworthburn Cemetery, Gateshead, on 22 July 2010.
Supercentenarian
A supercentenarian is someone who has reached the age of 110 years. This age is achieved by about one in a thousand centenarians....
from Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
, and at the age of 111 years 327 days was the oldest person in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
following the death of Florrie Baldwin
Florrie Baldwin
Florence Emily Baldwin, née Davies was, at the time of her death, the oldest living person in the United Kingdom and Europe.-Biography:...
on 8 May 2010.
Biography
Bowman was born in Ince-in-MakerfieldInce-in-Makerfield
Ince-in-Makerfield, usually known just as Ince is a district of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England.Ince is contiguous to Wigan and serves as a residential suburb of Wigan, Being divided locally by a train line into two separate areas - Higher Ince and Lower Ince,...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England, as the second of twelve children born to Thomas and Sarah Crook (née Hosler). Bowman was baptized on 13 November 1898 at Christ Church, Ince-In-Makerfield, Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
, Lancashire. At Ince, the Crook family lived at 38, Bird Street, near Wigan. The family moved to Felling, Gateshead in 1905 following to the decline in the textile industry so Thomas could work in the coal mines. Bowman was kept off school each week to help look after her younger siblings and do the washing and ironing. After school, Bowman worked in a fish & chip shop with her grandmother. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Bowman worked seven days per week in 12-hour shifts at the Armstrong Munitions factory in Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, walking daily from Felling to Scotswood
Scotswood
Scotswood can refer to:*Benwell and Scotswood*Scotswood Railway Bridge*Scotswood railway station*Scotswood Bridge...
. Bowman started with messenger work, and then worked on putting gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
in the fuses. On Christmas Day 1919, Bowman married Robert Pearson and had four children, Norman, Tommy, Doris and Connie. In 1928, Robert Pearson aged 28 had complications of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and died. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, she re-married to Frank Bowman and had two children named Sheila (who died in infancy) and Ann. In 1950, Frank died. In 1953, her father, Thomas Crook died at 74. Eunice looked after her mother Sarah until her death in 1970, at age 92. Until age 84, Bowman worked at a fish and chip shop with her sister Annie, who also reached her 100th birthday. In 2008, a week after her 110th birthday, Bowman re-opened St. Mary's lighthouse, Whitley Bay. This marked the 110th anniversary of both the lighthouse and Bowman's birthday. She outlived all of her siblings and the majority of her children. All her children from her first marriage are now dead, the last being Connie who died in February 2010. On the death of Florrie Baldwin, Bowman became the oldest living person in the UK. Her daughter, Ann said that Bowman "always had a very positive attitude and just had simple pleasures. She has always had a nice outlook on life and is always smiling." At her 111th birthday, Bowman said "I have never drank alcohol or smoked. I have had a happy life" Bowman died on 16 July 2010 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. She was buried at Heworthburn Cemetery, Gateshead, on 22 July 2010.