James's Story.
Birkenhead News 27 May 1916Popular Port Sunlight Soldier Killed.
Through the medium of a letter jointly written by Pioneer Corporal Wilkins and Sanitary Corporal McGubbins, the sad news has been conveyed to Mrs. James Owens, 87, Bebington Road, Port Sunlight, of the death in action of her husband, Pioneer Pte. James Owens, of the Cheshire Regiment. Pte. Owens was the youngest son of the late Edward Owens, wheelwright, of Higher Bebington, and of Mrs. Owens, Dacre Hill, Rock Ferry. He was 31 years of age, and was home on leave a month ago, when he was full of health and good spirits, and eager to do his bit for his country. Previous to the outbreak of war he was employed by Messrs. Lever Bros. for 15 years (long service) in the building departments, where he was highly esteemed and generally popular. Mrs. Owens is left with three children to mourn the loss of a good husband and father. A brother of the deceased soldier is at the front with a Canadian contingent, namely Edward, the eldest of the family, but the two brothers had not met since Edward left England for Canada. The neighbourhoods of Port Sunlight and Higher Bebington are overwhelmed in grief at the loss of a large number of their sons, of whom Pioneer Pte. James Owens was one of the best known and most popular.