Percy John Owen was born in 1895 as the third child of Richard and Martha Owen, he would have 8 siblings. He spent his early life living at Little Weston, Churchstoke, Montgomeryshire but by 1901 the family had moved to Pant where his father worked as a waggoner / carter on a farm. By 1911 they had moved again and were living at the Malthouse, Crickheath. Percy at this time was working as an agricultural labourer, possibly with his father.

Percy enlisted in 1914 joining 7 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and went over to France with the battalion on 28 September 1915. It is probable that he was at some time wounded and, on returning to duty, was posted to 1 Bn KSLI. At the time of his death the battalion had moved to Loos and were operating in the front line trenches near to Grenay. Percy was killed on 30 March 1917 when their billets at Les Brebis were bombarded. He was struck by a shell and died shortly afterwards in a field ambulance without gaining consciousness. He was buried at Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay. Percy is also commemorated on the war memorial at St Oswald’s Church Oswestry.

Acknowledgements.

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