A Sergeant, a Corporal, and a Thomas

 A Sergeant, a Corporal, and a Thomas—hope that grabs your attention.

There is a further connection with Dylan Thomas at Danygraig Cemetery.

Owen Andrew Bird

Owen Andrew Bird was born in Melbourne, Derbyshire, in 1866. He was the son of Thomas Bird and Mary Keene, who were married in 1857 in Stanton by Bridge, Derbyshire.

As recorded in the 1871 Census, the Bird family was residing at the Post Office in Stanton by Bridge.

1871 Census

Thomas Bird, aged 46, served as the Postmaster and a messenger. His wife, Mary, aged 32, assisted at the post office. Together, they had children who.

Arthur Thomas, aged 13, served as a Gardener Servant; Ernest William, aged 11, worked as a Farm Servant; Arnold Edward, aged 9; Edgar David, aged 7; Owen Andrew, aged 5, all attended school; Denis Wilford, aged 3; and Winifred Mary, aged 1 year.

Ten years later, the 1881 Census shows the Bird family living at 83 Princess Street, Stanton by Bridge.

1881 Census

Thomas Bird, aged 56, was employed as a Leather Band Maker. Mary, his wife, was 38 years old. Their children residing at home were:

Owen A., aged 15, was employed as a Forge Hammer Driver. Ann E., aged 5; Cyril V., aged 3; Sarah E., aged 2; and Edgar A., aged 1.

Owen enlisted in the military at the age of 19. By the time of the 1891 Census, at the age of 26, Owen A., who was a Private, was stationed at Raglan Barracks.

1891 Census

The Roberts' Horse regiment participated in the South African War from 1899 to 1902. Owen served with this regiment during the conflict.

After the conflict, Owen settled in Swansea. According to the 1901 Census, he was living at 1 Heawareden Crescent. In 1889, Owen married Ellen Speleny in Limerick, Ireland.

1901 Census

Owen, aged 35, was a Gymnastics Instructor, whilst Helene, aged 31. Their children were

Ernest O., aged 10; Aileen V., aged 8; and Winifred M., aged 4.

Ellen passed away in 1907; she was buried at Danygraig Cemetery. The following year, Owen married for the second time, this time to Mary Rideout.

According to the 1911 Census, the Bird family was residing at 6 Caswell Street.

1911 Census

Owen, aged 45, was a Teacher of Physical Culture, while Mary, aged 26, had children.

Valentine Eileen, aged 18; Winifred Mary, aged 13; Doris Eileen, aged 2; and Arthur Thomas, aged 1.

Attestation Papers

Owen served with the reservist 6^th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment in 1908. At the outbreak of the First World War, he continued his service with the 6^th Battalion, when he was ranked a Sergeant.  Owen served for 6 years in the UK from 1908 to 1914, spent 91 days in France from October 1914 to January 1915, and then continued his service in the UK until November 1917.  His Attestation Papers have survived.

Mary Bird died at age 33 in 1920, following the First World War Armistice.

According to the 1921 Census, Owen was a widower residing at Vivian Road.

1921 Census

Owen, aged 55, is employed by the Local Authority as a Physical Instructor. He resides with his children.

Arthur T., aged 11; Doris E., aged 12, and Ruth A., aged 10.

Also present is a housekeeper, Lillian M. Hall, aged 37.

In 1922, Owen married Sarah Jones, his third wife.

1939 Register

According to the 1939 Register, they were residing at 10 Manselton Road. Owen's occupation is noted as a Retired Physical Instructor.

Herald of Wales

Herald of Wales

Bird Family grave
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Owen passed away in 1940 at the age of 76. The Herald of Wales published an article about Owen. The article stated that Owen, while visiting his hometown of Stanton by Bridge, Derbyshire, saved a woman's life through a blood transfusion. There was a further article published in the newspapers reporting his funeral at Danygraig Cemetery.

South African War Memorial

Owen was chosen as the model for the South African War Memorial located today on the promenade.

Ernest Owen, the son of Owen, was born in 1891 in Limerick, Ireland. By the time of the 1911 Census, Corporal Ernest Owen was serving with the South Wales Borderers, 2nd Battalion. The battalion was stationed at Artillery Barracks, Pretoria.  Ernest’s place of birth is recorded as St. Marys’, Swansea.

1911 Census

Ernest, like his father, served during the First World War with the South Wales Borderers, 2nd Battalion. He was killed in action on June 19th, 1915, at Gallipoli and is interred at Twelve Tree Corpse Cemetery in Turkey.  His name is commemorated on the family headstone.

So, where is the connection with Dylan Thomas?

Dylan was a pupil of Owen at the Grammar School.