Ploegsteert Memorial
Ploegsteert Memorial 2016
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Owens, born about 1881, married Mary Elizabeth, they eventually set up home in Craghead, exact date unknown.
Thomas Owens fist enlisted in 1914 as Private 3725 in Durham assigned to the 1st/8th Durham Light Infantry, later transferred to the 13th Service Battalion as Private 203338 and back to the 1st/5th before finally being transferred to the 22nd Battalion Tyneside Scottish, Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 236930.
Unfortunately, his military record was one of many destroyed during the blitz of WW2 therefore there is no way of attaching any dates to his transferrals. All that is known as regards his arrival at the front is the date of October 26th 1915, landed in France. In the run up to his death he was serving with the 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers attached to the 102nd Brigade 34th division. In 1918 they were in action during the Battle of St. Quentin and then moved to Flanders (Belgium) participating in the Battle of Estaires, Battle of Baileut and the First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battle of the Lys April 7th-24th 1918.
According to official documents Private 236930 Thomas Owens Northumberland Fusiliers was presumed killed in action between 11-14th April 1918. The C. W. G. C. have recorded this officially as April 11th 1918. His sacrifice is recorded on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing, Hainaut, near Ypres, Belgium, panel 2. The memorial commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the sector and have no known grave.Thomas was 37 years old
His widow Mary Elizabeth received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. She remarried and became Mrs Mary Elizabeth Dixon of 38, Ladysmith Terrace, Craghead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Owens is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
