Robert's Story.
Birkenhead News 19 January 1918
SOLDIER’S DEATH FROM PNEUMONIA.
Sapper Roberts Owens, of the King’s Liverpool Regt., was slightly wounded whilst fighting in France on Nov. 30th. He was brought to the Gloucester Red Cross Hospital on Dec. 11th, and whilst there contracted pneumonia as a result of exposure whilst in the trenches. His father, Mr. W. Owens, “Blackburn Villa”, Grove Avenue, Heswall, was sent for, but the young soldier died in his 21st year on Jan. 2nd. Sapper Owens joined the Cheshire Field Company of the Royal Engineers on June 1st, 1915, at the headquarters in Harrowby Road, Birkenhead, proceeded to France, Jan. 9th, 1917, and whilst there was transferred to the King’s Liverpool Regt. The funeral took place on Saturday, Jan. 5th at Heswall Parish Church, the Rector (Rev. T. H. May), assisted by the curate (Rev. G. Babington), conducting the service. At the close two boys from the Nautical School sounded the “Last Post”. The deceased was a member of the Church Lads’ Brigade, and a number of his comrades were present at the funeral. In the Mission Church and choir and by a number of friends he is sorely missed, and to Mr. Owens sincere sympathy is extended in his loss.
The above extract from the Birkenhead News is reproduced word for word and records Robert’s surname as Owens when it is actually Owen as verified by birth and census records.