Owen Owen, Danygraig Cemetery

18^th August 1914.  Tuesday.  The British Liberal Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith, the American Democrat President, Woodrow Wilson.

Herbert Henry Asquith, who was the Prime Minister at the time of the outbreak of the First World War, he took office during 1908, after succeeding Henry Campbell-Bannerman. Asquith also had the position of Secretary of State for War.  Asquith did not remain Prime Minister for the duration of the war, David Lloyd George succeeded him, during 1916

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, in America, Woodrow Wilson, had been President since 1913.  During the 1916 United States Presidential Election, held on the 7^th November 1916, with a turnout of 61.6%, incumbent President Wilson, defeated Supreme-Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes, the Republican candidate. Wilson, was the only Democratic president to win-re-election between 1832 and 1936. 

4^th August, Wilson, formally proclaim the neutrality of the United States, a position that a vast majority of American favoured on.  Wilson initial hopes was that America could be “impartial in thought as well as in action”

 

 

 

 

The Cambrian Daily Leader
18th August 1914

Swansea, 18^th August 1914, the First World War is 2 weeks old, the first of the Swansea solders. Owen Owens, died.  He was not killed but falling in the South Docks and drowned as the result, of his weight of uniform.  Owen, who was only 17 at the time of his death, served with the Welsh Regiment, 6^th Battalion

At the time of the 1911 Census, Owen, was living with his family at 3 Oystermouth Road.

1911 British Census
2nd April 1911
3 Oystermouth Road, Swansea

 

Owen, who was buried with a full military funeral at Danygraig Cemetery, on 24^th August 1914

In the article published in the Cambrian Daily Leader, 18^th August 1914, makes mentions of his brother “Dodger” Owens.

“Dodger” Owens – George Owens, who was a Welsh rugby union player, playing during the 1910s and 1920s.  Playing for Swansea RFC at club level rugby union, signing for Wigan rugby club on 28^th September 1913, at Bush Hotel, High Street.  Owens played for Wales during 1923.

Pleasure steamer "Brighton"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cambrian Daily Leader
22nd August 1914

The Cambrian Daily Leader
24th August 1914

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The articles published on the 22^nd and 24^th makes mentions, that the Swansea Christadelphian were responsible for the funeral arrangements.

 

The Christadelphian, the religious group can trace it origins, to John Thomas who emigrated America from England during 1832.  At the outbreak of the First World War, the Christadelphian position was that of conscientious objection, however, there was some exemption from the military service.