Robert Bowen

 

The final military casualty from Port Tenant in 1916 was Robert Bowen, who died in September of that year.

Robert Bowen, born in 1889, is the eldest child of John Bowen, a Birmingham native, and Cecilia Thomas, who married in 1886.

According to the 1891 Census, the Bowen family resided at 167 Tyr Gwylli, Llansamlet.

1891 Census

John, aged 30, works as an Assayer Assistant. Cecilia is 23 years old. They have two children:

Robert, aged 2, and Mary A., aged 10 months.

According to the 1901 Census, the Bowen family resided at 25 Lamberts Cottage, St. Thomas.

1901 Census

John, aged 39, works as an Assayer Assistant. Cecilia is 34 years old. Their children are:

Thomas John, 13, is employed as a messenger at the Copperworks. The other children are Robert Charles, 12; Mary Annie, 11; Benjamin, 8; John, 4; and Edwin, 2.

The family was still residing at 25 Lamberts Cottage, St. Thomas, during the 1911 Census.

1911 Census

John, aged 50, is now employed as a Stoke Keeper. Cecilia is 45 years old. Their children are:

Thomas John, 24, and Robert Charles, 22, who are employed as Dock Labourers; Mary Annie, 20, who is a Domestic Servant; John, 15, who is an Errand Boy; and Edwin, 11, who attends school, and Ida, 8. 

Also present is grandson, Richard, aged 1.

Bowen family grave
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Benjamin, listed in the 1901 census, died in 1908, and is buried at Danygraig Cemetery

Robert Bowen
Guillemont Road Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Robert served with the Devonshire Regiment, 1st Battalion, during the First World War. He was killed in action on the 25th of September 1916 and is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery.  Robert’s name is also commemorated on the family headstone at Danygraig Cemetery.