George Bowen - Service in The Ionian Islands

Service in The Ionian Islands

Bowen became the chief secretary to the government of the Ionian Islands in 1854. While in that post, he married the Contessa Diamantina di Roma on 28 April 1856. Diamantina was the daughter of Conte Giorgio-Candiano Roma and his wife Contessa Orsola, née di Balsamo. The Roma family were local aristocracy; her father being the President of the Ionian Senate, titular head of the Islands, from 1850 to 1856. He was awarded a Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1855 and was advanced to a Knight Commander in the following year.