Corporal George Owen

[vintagesunbeam]

I'm researching 5th Signals Company which arrived in France 17th August 1914 - the Company included a dozen motorcycle despatch riders who had been recruited off the streets. Most of these riders were students or recent graduates who brought their own motorcycles to France. These despatch riders stayed together on the Retreat, the Battle of the Aisne and First Ypres. After Christmas 1914 they dispersed, most obtaining commissions in specialist corps such as the Cyclist Division, Tank Regiment, or Royal Flying Corps.

I have succeeded in identifying all 12 of the despatch riders, and I have now traced surviving children of four of them.

Only GEORGE OWEN has eluded me. I have searched Ancestry Medal Rolls, WO 339 because it's probable that he was commissioned. There is no trace of a death in CWGC.

On being recruited in August 1914 his number in the Royal Engineers would have been a five figure number in the series between 28000 and 28200.

Any help in finding this man much appreciated! I know he existed because he signed the Christmas menu of the Despatch riders, and his photo is attached.

[archangel9]

How about -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=4668601&queryType=1&resultcount=16

Medal card of Owen, G S

Corps Regiment No Rank

Royal Engineers 28081 Corporal

Royal Engineers Lieutenant

John

[archangel9]

MIC confirms 5th Signals Company and that he survived.

John

[IPT]

Oh nice find!

28081 Cpl G.S. Owen 5 Sig Coy RE

Went to France 17/8/1914

Ancestry - http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec?htx=View&r=5538&dbid=1262&iid=30850_A001183-01318&fn=G+S&ln=Owen&st=r&ssrc=&pid=5059897

[vintagesunbeam]

brilliant! many thanks to all

brilliant - many thanks to all

[IPT]

I think he may be George Sherard Owen. born 1892, died 1976.

Commissioned RE 1916 - http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29624/supplements/5966/page.pdf

Under-secretary, Board of Trade http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37598/supplements/2759/page.pdf

Baptism - http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-g&gsfn=george+sherard&gsfn_x=XO&gsln=owen&gsln_x=XO&cpxt=1&catBucket=rstp&uidh=7u6&msbdp=1&cp=11&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=4158297&recoff=8+9+10+35+49&db=LMAbirths&indiv=1

1901 Census Harrow - http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-c&gsfn=george+s&gsfn_x=XO&gsln=owen&gsln_x=XO&cpxt=1&catBucket=rstp&uidh=7u6&msbdp=1&cp=11&pcat=CEN_1900&h=33685711&db=uki1901&indiv=1

[vintagesunbeam]

Three years ago members of this forum solved one of my knotty problems. Can you help again?

In May 2014 a gentleman called Tim Owen, great-nephew of George S Owen, added a note to my profile - he had only just seen these posts and realised that they related to his great-uncle. Tantalisingly, he added that he had George's diary of the Retreat which he was typing out and would make available to me when he had finished.

Immediately I sent him a PM but it appeared that his "post" on my profile was his only substantive involvement in the GWF. I'm already in touch with several relatives (children and grandchildren) of the original 12 despatch riders, and I'm very keen to make contact with Tim as well - but I can't figure out how to find him According to Ancestry George had four brothers, and Tim could be the grandson of any one of them. The only real clue is that he told me he worked as a picture framer.

I'd really appreciate any hints and tips as to how to reach this contact. I imagine that he was a one-time visitor who lost interest having his initial sign-up.

[Michelle Young]

I believe that members have to make 2 posts before they can receive a PM. You may have to ask the moderators to contact him, as I imagine they would have email details.

Michelle

[vintagesunbeam]

Thanks for the reply! I thought he had registered as a member, but I can't find anyone with his name. Otherwise not sure how I could email him through the Forum