Walter Henry Bowen – Merchant Navy

Chief Engineer Officer Walter Henry Bowen – Merchant Navy

Birth and Family Background

Lewis Lewis Bowen and Elizabeth Ellen Gordon
marriage certificate
St Peter’s Church, Swansea

Walter Henry Bowen was born in 1875 at Loughor. He was the son of Lewis Lewis Bowen and Elizabeth Ellen Gordon, who were married in 1868 at St Peter’s Church, Swansea.

Lewis Bowen died in 1879 at Merthyr Tydfil.

1881 Census

At the time of the 1881 Census, the Bowen family were living at 67 Brunswick Street, Swansea. Elizabeth Ellen Bowen (34), born at Llanrhidian, was working as a dressmaker.

Her children were Ceridwen Catherine (9), Marinia Gwendolin (8), and Walter Henry (6), all attending school, together with Arthur Lewis (4) and Griffith John (2). Also present in the household were George Edward Gordon (25), Elizabeth’s brother, employed as an Assistant County Surveyor, and Eliza Rosser (16), a domestic servant.

1891 Census

The 1891 Census records the family still residing at 67 Brunswick Street, Swansea. The siblings listed were Thomas G. (22), an Assistant Mining Enquiries Clerk; Margaret A. (21), a school teacher; Catherine C. (19), a dressmaker; Marinia G. (18); Walter Henry (16), employed as an apprentice marine engineer; and Arthur L. (14) and Griffith J. (12), both attending school.

Marriage

In 1900, Walter Henry Bowen married Sarah Ann Griffin at Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.

1939 Register 

The 1939 Register records Walter and Sarah Bowen living at 458 Mumbles Road. Both were employed as Hay and Corn Merchants, and Walter was also recorded as serving in the Merchant Navy Reserve.

Maritime Service

Walter Henry Bowen served with the Merchant Navy, attaining the rank of Chief Engineer Officer.

Death and Commemoration

Merchant Seamen Deaths

The Merchant Seamen Deaths records state that Walter Henry Bowen lost his life on 2^nd May 1941 while serving aboard the S.S. Parracombe.

S.S. Parracombe

On 2^nd May 1941, while on passage from Leith to Malta carrying government stores, the Parracombe was operating disguised as a Spanish vessel. At approximately 9.5 nautical miles off Cape Bon, she was bombed and sunk by Italian aircraft. There were 25 survivors, 18 of whom were interned at Bizerte following the sinking.

Chief Engineer Officer Walter Henry Bowen was among those who did not survive the attack. As was common for senior engineering staff, he would have been stationed below decks during the attack, maintaining power and machinery, placing him at extreme risk.

Walter Henry Bowen
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources
The Merchant Navy Memorial 

He has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives at sea during the Second World War and whose burial places are unknown.