Frederick Owen was born in 1892 at Oswestry, the sixth of eight children of Thomas and Lettia Owen. He had three elder sisters and two younger brothers. The family lived at 3 Church Place, Church Street in 1901 but had moved by 1911 to 6 Castle Square, Albert Road and by the outbreak of war to 10 Rope Walk. No record of his father can be identified in census records. Frederick worked as a bricklayer’s labourer and was unmarried.

Frederick joined the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Special Reserves in October 1908 and was mobilised on 4 August 1914 and posted to 3 Bn KSLI, Training and Reserves. He went over to France on 12 November 1914 as a draft and was posted to 1 Bn KSLI. It is possible that he was wounded and, after recovering was then posted to 2 Bn KSLI. He was awarded the 1914 Star with Rosette, the latter given to those who had specifically been under fire. Frederick was declared missing presumed dead on 25 May 1915 when the battalion was in action during the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, Second Ypres (25-28 May 1915). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

Frederick’s three service medals were sold at auction in London in June 2013.

His younger brother Alfred had also enlisted in 5 Bn KSLI but had been discharged under King’s Regulations, as not being likely to make an efficient soldier. He had a weak back and according to his army medical he possibly had sclerosis.

KIA same day and action Private 6600 Evan Jones, 2 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 25 May 1915, Menin Gate Ypres (unknown)

Acknowledgements. Baldwins Auction House – medal photos.

References and Sources

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