Robert Thomas's Story.
Private Robert Thomas Owen (2396, 1st Liverpool Regiment) died of dysentery on 10th July 1900 at Newcastle, South Africa.
Robert Thomas Owen was born in 1870 in Caernarfon, Wales. His occupation before joining the army was paper hanger.
Robert enlisted into the Liverpool Regiment at Warrington on 16th February 1888 soon after he reached the age of 18 years. He served abroad in Bermuda (1891 - 1893) and Halifax, completing his service in 1895. He was recalled to his regiment in December 1899 at the outbreak of the Boer War. His attestation records show that he had brown hair and eyes, and was 5' 4" in height. His religion is recorded as Wesleyan.
He was posted to Cape Town on 24th March 1900, and joined the 1st Battalion in Ladysmith, Natal during the recuperation period after the relief of Ladysmith where the 1st battalion had been throughout the siege. They were part of the advance north from Ladysmith into the Transvaal in the 8th Brigade under General Howard. D
Robert died of dysentery at No 4 Stationary Hospital, Newcastle, Natal on 10th Jly 1900. He was buried in Hardwick Street Cemetery, Newcastle, Amajuba District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Though his surname is often shown as "Owens" his signature was definitely Robert Thomas Owen.
