Forward:
The Webmaster was contacted via E-mail by a Mr. Brian Bouchard of Ashtead, Surrey, England on 09 Dec 2018. He forwarded an old letter which was addressed to the Commanding Officer of No.3 Provost Company, which was based in England in 1941 that outlined the details of a fatal motorcycle accident in his hometown in 1941, involving a Lance Corporal George H. Rowe, a member of the Canadian Provost Corps. Note: L/Cpl Rowe's name is listed in the Roll Of Honor on this web site as a non-battle casualty as shown below:

A3785 LCpl George H. ROWE
3 Provost Coy
24 March 41, UK, "Brookwood" Military Cemetery

Mr. Bouchard, a local historian in Ashtead, England had discovered the material while researching the British Public Archives web site and decided to forward the historical documents to the Canadian Provost Corps Association for our information.

Herein, follows the significant aspects of that incident as outlined in the above mentioned letter which is signed by none other than, former Canadian Army Provost Marshal, the late: Colonel J. R. Stewart, then a Lieutenant with No. 3 Provost Company.

At about 2240 hrs, 23 Mar 1941, A3785 LCpl George H. Rowe of No. 3 Provost Company was returning from guard duty at Canadian Corps Headquarters (CHQ) riding motorcycle #C4319440, crashed into the right rear corner of an 8cw Ford Lorry (WD# CZ-4204778) which was stopped due to engine problems approximately 250 yds. South of Warren, Ashtead, Surrey, England. Driver of the Lorry, M7339 LCpl JA Leard, HQ Company, 1st Battery, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) stationed at Wentworth Hall and Lt SW Wharton of the same Company was a passenger in the Lorry. Seriously injured and unconscious LCpl Rowe was evacuated to The Blind School Hospital, Leatherhead, Surrey and admitted at about 2300 hrs where he never regained consciousness, passing away at 0300 hrs, 24 Mar 1941.

An inquest was held at 1245 hrs, 26 Mar 1941 at the Leatherhead Institute where Coroner C. Wills-Taylor, Esq. returned a verdict of Death by misadventure, the cause of death being internal hemorrhaging.

The letter revealed that LCpl Rowe had enlisted in London, Ontario on 04 Mar1940 and was taken on strength (TOS) at the Royal Canadian Regimental Depot (RCR Depot) on the same date. He was transferred to No. 3 Provost Company on the 30 Dec 1940 and his next-of-kin was identified as being Mrs. Bessie Rowe, his Mother, of Aylmer, ON.

LCpl Rowe's Funeral was held at 1430 hrs, 27 Mar 1941 at the Chapel in Brookwood Cemetery, internment taking place in the Canadian section of the Cemetery. A Guard Of Honor was provided by No. 3 Provost Company the Firing Party was supplied by the Corps Protection unit and a Bugler was obtained from 1st Bty RCE.

Written statements were subsequently obtained from the Driver of the Lorry, LCpl Leard and his passenger, Lt Wharton which corroborated the details as presented above.

Copies of the historical documents which support the above information is held on file by the Web Master.

Additional details uncovered through the internet concerning the foregoing are as follows:

ROWE, GEORGE HARRY
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: A/3785
Date of Death:24/03/1941
Age:35
Regiment/Service: Canadian Provost Corps 3 Provost Coy.
Grave Reference: 31. C. 5.
Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Edward and Bessie Rowe.

Surrey Advertiser - Saturday 29 March 1941

SOLDIER, SOON TO BE MARRIED, KILLED.
Motor cycling along Leatherhead-road, Ashtead, during the blackout on Sunday, Lance. Corporal. George Harry Rowe, a Canadian soldier, crashed into the back of a small Canadian Army lorry which had pulled up owing to engine trouble. He died from his injuries at the Blind School Hospital, Leatherhead, in the early hours of Monday. At an inquest held at Leatherhead Institute on Wednesday the Coroner (Mr. G. Wills Taylor) returned a verdict of "Death by misadventure." Lance Corporal. Rowe was 29, and it was stated that he was shortly to be married to a local girl.