Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Francis William Owen, known as Frank, was born in 1889 at Heworth, near Gateshead, County Durham, he was the eldest of 3 sons and 2 daughters. His father Francis Snr a coal miner by trade was born at Felling, Gateshead in 1861, he married Isabella Ann Wade in 1885, she too was born in 1861 at Heworth Lane, Heworth. In 1891 they were living at 26, Cross Row, Heworth with 4 young children. Francis Owen Snr died aged 31 years in 1893, his widow had moved by 1901 to 13, Elliot Street, her only means of income came from 4 boarders in their mid to late 20’s who all worked as fitters at the iron works. Tragedy struck again when her youngest child Richard William died in 1908 aged 13 years. Aged 22 years in 1911 Frank Jnr and his brother John (20) were employed as putters at the colliery, their sister Olive Maud (12) was a scholar. They were all listed as boarders living at 5, Laurel Street, the home of colliery joiner Anthony Morpeth aged 61, their mother Isabella Ann was his house keeper.
Frank Owen, still employed as a miner, was called up and enlisted for a period of 3 years at Felling, August 27th 1914. He was assigned as Private 13409 to the Durham Light Infantry, joining his regiment at South Shields that same day, he was transferred to the 10th Battalion attached to the 43rd Brigade, 14th Division. Whilst undergoing training at Aldershot he was promoted to the rank of Acting Corporal, October 29th 1914 and by November 4th 1914 he was a Sergeant, he had also been transferred to the 16th Battalion and on to the 11th Battalion who in November 1914 were sent to Pirbright and issued with blue serge uniforms, leather equipment and obsolete rifles. Early 1915 possibly because of the high number of miners in its ranks the 11th Battalion was made the 20th Division’s Pioneer battalion, its soldiers working as labourers but as and when needed they would fight as infantrymen. As part of the British Expeditionary Force the battalion departed for France, July 20th 1915, Sergeant Owen joined them as part of the draft, August 4th 1915. Initially they were deployed repairing roads before moving behind the lines repairing and draining mud filled trenches and strengthening barbed wire defences.
December 13th 1915 whilst in the field he was taken by the 60th Field Ambulance to the 7th Casualty Clearing Station and two days later sent to the 4th Service Hospital at St. Omer for dental treatment, three days later he was back with his unit.
December 26th 1915 he was placed in confinement awaiting trial by the Field General Courts Martial accused of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he when called upon by Sergeant Stoker to attend Coy Office shouted, “What the hell are you shouting for I have not got bloody wings.” Found guilty he was demoted to the rank of Private, January 3rd 1916.
Having returned to his battalion they were soon moved to the Somme where they worked at night repairing old trenches and digging new ones. The Battles of the Somme commenced July 1st 1916, July 13th Private Owen was seriously wounded in the chest, first taken to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station then on to the 35th General Hospital at Calais from where he was sent by hospital ship back to England. July 16th 1916 he was admitted to the 1st Northern General Hospital at Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he remained for the next 38 days. Once fully recovered December 20th 1916 he was drafted once again with the British Expeditionary Force back to France attached to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry arriving at the 35th Infantry Base Depot on the 21st and immediately transferred to the 20th Battalion D.L.I. and again moved to the 19th Battalion joining them Christmas Eve 1916 near Arras in France. Spring 1917 they were involved in the pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, the German retreat which began in February having come as a complete surprise to the British. The Germans made every effort to slow down the advancing British troops by destroying everything before them, poisoning wells, felling trees, destroying houses and bridges, even stopping from time to time and engaging in smaller battles.
Private 13409 Frank Owen Durham Light Infantry was killed in action in the Aisne sector, May 6th 1917, his body interred at Marteville Communal Cemetery, Attilly, France, grave A 28. Frank was 28 years old and single.
His mother Isabella Ann as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal along with his personal possessions consisting of, pocket wallet, photos, letters, pocket dictionary, diary, tobacco pouch, fountain pen, razor, comb, pencil and pencil refills, sent to her at 5, Laurel Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. His mother commissioned at a cost of 6 shillings 1 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “God Shall Wipe Away All Tears.”
A document dated August 13th 1919 states that Frank’s only surviving relatives were his mother Isabella Ann Owen, his brother John Owen who survived the conflict and was demobilised and his eldest sister Dora Evelyn. His sister Olive Maud Owen married in 1919 and died that same year aged 22 years.
Frank’s surname is recorded on census documents and at St. Mary’s Heworth as Owens, his military record and CWGC entry list him as Owen.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 20/7/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Private Francis William (Frank) Owen, killed in action, May 6th. Eldest son of Isabella and the late Frank Owen, of Felling.”
Frank Owens is remembered at Heworth on H92.03and listed at Felling on F32.22 and F32.23
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 110
