Pte 58673 Edward Clency Owen

• Age: 30
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 25th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
  Panel Ref: Bay 3

Edward was born in Toxteth Park, Liverpool in the third quarter of 1886, the son of Edward Owen and his wife Charlotte Ann (nee Hitchen). He was baptised on the 12th September 1886 at St Silas' Church, Toxteth. 

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at 20 Pimhill Street, Toxteth Park. His father is a 30 year old assurance agent, his mother is 28 years of age. They have four children in the household; Robert aged 7, Mary E. is 6 both at school, Edward is 4 and new born Charlotte. Also declared is a boarder, Henry Hitchen a 55 year old widower who is employed as a boilermaker. 

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 55 Kinmel Street, Toxteth Park.  His father, Edward is a 40 year old dock labourer, born in Liverpool, his mother, Charlotte A. is 39 years of age, also born in Liverpool. They have six children in the household;  Robert H. is 19 and a dock labourer, Mary E. is an 18 year old domestic servant, Edward C. is a 17 year old butcher's assistant, Charlotte H. is 13 and at school, George R. is 7 and also at school and Gladys E. is aged 4.

He married Mary Elizabeth Wheeler, when he was 18, on 16th July 1905 in St. Matthew’s Church, Toxteth Park, giving his occupation as labourer. T 

The 1911 Census finds Edward and his wife living at 69 Micawber Street, Liverpool. Edward Clancy Owen is a 24 year old goods checker for a railway company with his wife Mary Elizabeth, aged 25. They have been married for 6 years and have had two children. Both children are in the household;  Herbert Edward is aged 3 and Ethel Elizabeth is 3 months old.

They had twop further children: George, and Irene. 

Edward enlisted in Liverpool in June 1916 and was serving with the 20th Battalion as Private 58673 when he was killed in action on 26th April 1917 aged 30.

His body was not recovered or subsequently lost as Edward's name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France. 

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July). 

Edwards death was reported in the Liverpool Echo 21st May 1917

OWEN – April 26  - Killed instantaneously Private Edward Clency Owen KLR age 30 years.  Dearly beloved husband of E. M. Owen 132 Chatham Street.  Sadly missed by his sorrowing wife and four children.  Some day some time our eyes shall see, The face so dear to memory, Some day we’ll clasp the by the hand, Just over in the better land.

A report in the Liverpool Echo on 22^nd May 1917 stated: 

 “Intimation has been received by Mrs. E. M. Owen, of 132 Chatham Street, that her husband, Private Edward Clency Owen, of the K.L.R., was instantaneously killed by an explosive shell on April 26 last.  Private Owen joined the Army in June last, and had only been at the front for a few months. Private Owen leaves a widow and four young children. Prior to the war he was employed by Messrs. Cain.” 

His wife posted a memorial notice in the Liverpool Echo on 26th April 1918 the first anniversary of Edward's death.

OWEN  -  In everloving memory of my dear husband Pr. Edward Clency Owen KLR killed in action April 26 1917.

To an unknown grave far far away, A sad wife’s thoughts wander day by day, Unseen by the world he stands by my side and whispers “Dear wife don’t fret, death does not divide”  Sadly missed by wife and children  132 Chatham St.

Edward earned two medals, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.  

We currently have no further information on Edward Clency Owen, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.