Lance/Corporal Joseph Owen,
5770 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Killed in Action 25th May 1917. Aged 26.
(Joseph’s brother Richard was killed 21st March 1918)
Joseph was born on the 18th May 1891 in Dublin and baptised 27th May. He was the son of William Owen and Mary Glennon.
Joseph enlisted on the 21st Aug, soon after the war started. He was on the home front until the 27th Nov 1914 when he was posted to France. He was wounded at least 4 times. The first was in May 1915 with a gunshot wound to his right shoulder and was in hospital at Versailles. He was shot in the chest on the first of July 1916, in the Battle of the Somme. He was wounded again on the 29th Sept, another gunshot wound. On the 9th Dec 1916 he received another gunshot wound to his right foot and taken to an hospital in Rouen and then Etaples. He had given his father as next of kin and his wife Elizabeth lived at 41 Evergreen St, Cork, Ireland.
He had a very chequered history in the army and a long list of defaults ranging from absence to be drunk.
Joseph’s tongue in cheek Will states: In the event of my death, I joseph Owens if in any debt do hereby bequeath everything to any deservery charity but if in credit I leave to my old friend Thomas Connerton the sum of 4a. On the condition that he does not get drunk and the remainder to be spent in laying a foundation stone for a new trench. My remains must be carried to my native country and there cremated. Signed J Owens.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 14th July 1917: FOUR TIMES WOUNDED AND NOW KILLED.
News has been received that Lance Corporal Joseph Owen, whose sister Mrs Crowe, resides at 3 Dugdale Court off Manchester Road Burnley, was killed in France on May 25th. The deceased soldier who was in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, had previously been wounded no less than 4 times. Before the war he was an army reservist from R E and he re-enlisted when war broke out. There are three brothers serving, Private Alfred Owen, Pioneer Sergeant R Owen, and Private William Owen (in training). Mrs Crowe husband, Sergeant J Crowe has been wounded once in France, and once in the relief of Kut. Private Joseph Owen before rejoining the army, was employed at Drews Calico Printing Works, and attended St Mary's Roman Catholic Church and School.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 14th July 1917: IN MEMORIAM
OWEN. Killed in action on May 25th 1917, Lance Corporal Joseph Owen 5770 Royal Dublin Fusiliers aged 25 years. From his sister and brothers 3 Dugdale Court.
His widow Elizabeth was awarded a weekly pension of 13s 9d.
Born in Dublin, lived at 3 Dugdale Court, off Manchester Rd.
Joseph left his effects to his widow Elizabeth.
Joseph was buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; III.E.32.
