
It’s a matter of manners
Some things don’t change even when you’re a Centenarian.
Former 7th Division Army officer Lieutenant Doug Bowman took part in the landing in Borneo with 25TH Brigade in 1945.
In December, the RSL LifeCare resident will be 101.
“He was always popular because of his politeness,” daughter Sharon Armour said. “Especially with women. He always treated people properly.
He was, and still is, a real gentleman
“He still thanks the staff when they come into his room with something. That hasn’t changed.”
Mr Bowman was in the armed forces between 1936 and 1946. He joined the AIF in 1942. As well as serving in Borneo, he was part of the Allied effort in New Guinea.
The Novocastrian, now a resident of Peter Cosgrove House, Narrabeen, is also a father and great grandfather.
He was married three times, having outlived his wives. He had two children.
Nowadays, his sight has gone and his is hearing severely impaired, but he reportedly loves to tell stories and revisit memories.
Son-in-law Brian Armour said he was always an easy-going, congenial, sort of a fellow. “I always got on well with him especially as I was once in the Army Reserve – he liked army people,” he said.
Mr Bowman joined the armed forces at the age of 15.
“I decided to join in my school holidays,” he said. “I was always big for my age.”
Mrs Armour remembered her father always taking an interest in things done by his children. He was involved in supervising amateur athletics with which his son Damon, now of Canada, was involved.
Significantly, Mr Bowman built his daughter a car from a pre-moulded chassis which he bought in Brookvale in the early 1960s. “Dad was always good with his hands,” she said. “He also worked for his uncle, as a carpenter.”
Mr Bowman built the extension on the back of their family home in Waratah, Newcastle.
Post-war he worked in a number of professions including commercial sales with the Ford company, which saw him travel extensively throughout NSW.
Almost a year ago, the family gathered at Narrabeen to celebrate Mr Bowman’s 100th birthday.
“He was, and still is, a real gentleman,” Mrs Armour said.

Story by Rod Bennett
Blog Posts
11 Nov 2021
RSL LifeCare Annual Report 2021
I am pleased to advise that the 2021 RSL LifeCare Annual Report is now available. This annual report is...
10 Oct 2021
Rapid Antigen Test kits now available to Aged Care providers.
The Department of Health is offering Rapid Antigen Test kits to aged care providers across NSW in high-risk Local...

8 Aug 2021
Aged Care Employee Day is a day to thank everyone at RSL LifeCare.
7th August is Aged Care Employee Day. This is a day for us to thank every person who works...

7 Jul 2021
World War 2 code breaker Marion Painter features in Sky News documentary
ANZAC Village, Narrabeen resident Marion Painter has featured in Sky News documentary, The Alliance, about her time as a...

6 Jun 2021
Aged care workers should be vaccinated on site.
AGED care provider, RSL LifeCare, have applauded the Australian Government for their decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for staff...

3 Mar 2016
Laughter is the best medicine
Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the ‘feel good factor’ Acts as aerobic exercise and is like ‘internal jogging’ Unleashes...

5 May 2016
A healthy diet for a healthy heart
Valentine’s Day saw people thinking of love and things of the heart and we thought it would be a...

10 Oct 2016
Pets and Positive Ageing
Animals play an important role in our lives. As Community Staff, we are blessed to see the bonds that...

More from the blog
Latest News
Giving our nurses a voice to lead
Today, on International Nurses Day (IND) we shine a light on our nursing staff and their vital work. Our nurses are a core part of RSL...
Read moreHugh Cunningham Gardens welcomes Australian Defence Force support
RSL LifeCare has welcomed the support of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel at Hugh Cunningham Gardens residential aged care home at Tura Beach. The 15-person...
Read moreConstruction Begins on Permanent Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre
Construction has begun on a new purpose built, state-of-the-art facility to permanently house the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre, providing an expanded range of health and...
Read moreToday we honour Rawdon Hume “Ron” Middleton, VC.
SEVENTY nine years ago today a bomber took off from an air base in Suffolk, England. It was one of more than 200 aircraft on...
Read moreBaby Boomers to change the face of aged care for ever
Baby Boomers are set to revolutionise aged care by banging down the doors of change, according to the annual research we (RSL LifeCare) have undertaken...
Read moreRapid Antigen Test kits now available to Aged Care providers.
The Department of Health is offering Rapid Antigen Test kits to aged care providers across NSW in high-risk Local Government Areas (LGAs). Rapid Antigen Testing...
Read moreRSL NSW members dig deep to support their fellow veterans
*This media release originally appeared on the RSL NSW website. RSL NSW veteran members have rallied to bolster life-changing support for veterans and their families...
Read moreHomes for Heroes comes home
After a two-year partnership with Wesley Mission delivering the life-changing Homes for Heroes program, RSL LifeCare Veteran Services has built its internal capabilities and is...
Read moreVeteran Employment a Focus in New South Wales
RSL LifeCare, has today announced that it is partnering with specialist career management firm, Right Management to deliver the RSL Employment Program in New South...
Read moreRiverina Veterans front and centre for RSL NSW and RSL LifeCare
RSL NSW and its partner charity RSL LifeCare have announced today that a veteran wellbeing centre will be established and operated by them in Wagga...
Read moreAged Care Employee Day is a day to thank everyone at RSL LifeCare.
7th August is Aged Care Employee Day. This is a day for us to thank every person who works in our organisation and to acknowledge...
Read more