Private William Charles Owers.
He was born on 20 March 1885, the son of William Owers and Louisa Owers (1858-1908), his birth being registered in the Hackney registration district.
On 13 February 1891 his mother and his brother, Percy Owers, were admitted into the Hackney Union Infirmary, Homerton, whilst he was taken into the Hackney Union Workhouse, Homerton. The 1891 census returns that were complied on 5 April 1891 record him as a 6 years old pauper. His mother was shown as a widow and general servant. They were all discharged on 9 April 1891.
On 4 April 1892 he was admitted into the Hanbury Street School, Tower Hamlets, giving his home address as The Shelter, Hanbury Street. There is no discharge date shown on the school register but on 2 July 1894 he was readmitted to this school with the register showing he had been attending Redman Road School. His home address was now recorded as 210 Hanbury Road and he was discharged on 31 August 1894. He is next shown as attending Garden Street School, Tower Hamlets, with his brother Percy, from 16 June 1896 and his home address was 36 Redman Street. On 7 July 1897 he is recorded as attending St Peter's School, Tower Hamlets, living at 37 Wellesley Street. He left this school on 3 September 1897 on his removal to Bermondsey.
In the 1901 census he is shown as living at 223 Katherine Buildings, Cartwright Street, Aldgate, with his widowed mother, who was described as a charwoman, and his brother Harry Owers.
On 24 June 1901 his mother married Thomas Sharpe at St Paul's Church, Whitechapel. The marriage register shows his occupation as an attendant. His address was given as 222 Katherine Buildings, Whitechapel and her address was 223 Katherine Buildings. (On the 1901 census his occupation was recorded as a lavatory attendant). They had one child, Alfred Sharpe (1902-1980) who was born on 2 October 1902 at 80 Jubilee Buildings, Wapping.
On 3 June 1906 he married Catherine Hellen (1887-1960) at St Paul's Church, Whitechapel. The marriage register shows him as a printer and both their addresses were recorded as 58 Royal Mint Street. They had five children: Roger Frederick Owers (1907-1907), Christine Maud Owers (1908-1993), William James Owers (1910-1989), Samuel Owers (1912-2001) and George Owers (1916-1916).
In the 1911 census he is shown as a compositor and machine minder for a stationer and printer's company residing at 8 Welsh Street, Old Street, Shoreditch, with his wife, their two children: Christine Maud Owers and William James Owers, together with his mother-in-law, Charlotte Gowens (1850-1928) who was a tailoress. Electoral registers in 1912 confirm he was still at this address but from 1913 he was registered at 56 Chatham Avenue, Hoxton.
On 3 October 1916 he enlisted in Whitehall into the 2nd/5th Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), service number 6519, giving his home address as 56 Chatham Avenue, Nile Street, Hoxton. He entered France on 26 February 1917 and his service number was changed to 202972. He suffered a gun shot wound to his abdomen on 4 May 1917 and was taken to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station, Peronne-la-Chapelle, Somme, France where he died, aged 32 years, the following day. He was buried in Plot 2, Row B, Grave 9, in the La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, 162 Route de Paris, 80200 Péronne, France.
On 18 August 1917 his widow was sent his army effects totalling £2-17s-5d and on 7 October 1919 she was sent his £3-0s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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