Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born and raised in the agricultural and commercial port of Port Lincoln on the lower Eyre Peninsula, William Frederick (Bill) was the youngest son of Henry Thomas and Fanny Owen. Bill was born on the 27th April 1916 and had an older brother Robert (Bob) and three sisters, Ethel, Nora and May. The children all attended the local Port Lincoln School where Bill’s name was regularly mentioned in the local paper for gaining high marks in examinations each year. Post school he worked in several local businesses.
However, with WWII intervening, and having just turned 24, Bill enlisted on the 2nd July ’40. Other locals to do so at a similar time were Henry Sellen and Allan Poole who enlist within days of each other in June ‘40 with Henry being allocated to the 2/43rd as SX7295. Allan was allocated the number SX7141 in the 2/48th. By October, Private Bill Owen SX7628, Private Allan Poole SX7141 and Corporal Douglas Smith SX7191, all of the 2/48th Battalion, were farewelled with a social in the Mayor’s Parlour, organised by the Fighting Forces Farewell Committee. (Allan Poole was also the son of the Mayor.) The young men were toasted before being presented with a parcel from the Comforts Fund.
Bill did his early training at Wayville in what is now the Adelaide Showgrounds, before moving to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. Following pre-embarkation leave, his battalion was soon embarked for the Middle East. In an exceptional act to keep families and friends informed the West Coast Recorder published extracts from letters received from those serving overseas. These gave an insight into the conditions the ‘boys’ were experiencing. Bill was quite a regular writer.
Fellow local soldiers like Gordon Cotton with the 2/10th Battalion (Gordon was killed in action two months prior to Bill) reported on local conditions in the Middle East, which were quite a contrast to Port Lincoln. “They get only about 2 inches of rain a year here, so you can imagine what the country is like. The dust storms are worse than anything you could imagine, but we are all well despite them. Sometimes I have a gallop on one of the donkeys, but you could run a lot faster. We get plenty of oranges, bananas and tomatoes here. They are very cheap.’ Allan (Lefty) Poole also regularly had his letters published, writing in February ’41 mentioning that “I have met a good many Port Lincoln boys lately and was talking to Bill Owen yesterday. You would laugh if you saw the wogs (Arabs) here. Their dress is very funny. You can hardly see them for clothes, and you cannot see the womenfolk at all. Even their faces are covered up. I did not think people could be so dirty. They only wash twice a year, they say—and it looks like it. They reckon water should only be used for drinking purposes.”
In March ’41, a precious letter from Bill ‘somewhere in Palestine’ was published. “I am feeling fine and getting plenty to eat. I received your air mail letter last Thursday. It only took 12 days from the day you wrote it. I saw Arthur Sims yesterday. The weather has been like a Port Lincoln summer. A Winter has just ended, so I don't know what it is going to be like in summertime. I had my first swim in the Mediterranean and it was lovely. I have just recovered from a spell in hospital with the mumps. Cedric Radford (from Coulta, SX10058 2/48th) and I have both received cablegrams from home. Newton Puckridge (SX7562 2/48th) has been shifted to the " pioneers" and has to attend lectures at night. There was an air raid alarm the other night, but no bombs were dropped. The natives here are just about prehistoric and pretty dirty looking. Their clothes are ragged and grubby and their feet are nearly size 30s.”
Later that month Bill wrote “I am keeping pretty well in our new place of abode. I experienced the worst dust storm of my life about a week ago. I could not see more than a few feet in front of me and the dust was so fine it almost choked me. There is a lot more I would like to tell you, but at present it would not do. I have been for another swim in the Mediterranean and it was good. The other day, I saw Mick Buxton. He is looking very well. I also saw Jack O'Brien, Bill Fabian, Bert Fraser and the two Turner boys. We are not in action yet, but our turn will come one day.”
Bill’s family received an interesting parcel of souvenirs he sent from Palestine. They included a beautifully embroidered apple green satin dressing gown, cushion cover, child's handbag, piece of tapestry, brooches and about 25 postcards. The postcards were of religious images from Palestine, including Bethlehem, the interior of the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem, the manger, the Holy Sepulchre, the shepherds' field, the tomb of Rachael, and a typical narrow street in Bethlehem, also the modern buildings, gardens and beach of Tel-Aviv and the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.
In June a further letter was received (written in April). “Please thank everyone for sending Christmas mail and parcels to me. I have not been able to find time to write and thank everyone myself. I have been getting my mail alright. The Christmas cable sent to me early in December did not arrive in Palestine till January 19 and I did not receive it here until about a couple of months after that.” This was to be the last letter from Bill published in the West Coast Recorder.
Aged 25, Bill died of wounds received in the fierce fighting of the Siege of Tobruk July ’41, just a year after he had enlisted. The West Coast Recorder carried the news: ‘Last Friday, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Owen, of Port Lincoln received word that their son, Pte. W. F. (Bill) Owen, had died of wounds on July 1, while serving with the A.I.F. somewhere in the Middle East. His age was 25, and he enlisted about six months ago. Pte. Owen will be remembered by many friends at Port Lincoln, where he was born and educated. He was employed with several local business firms, and also worked for a while at the store of Mrs. E. M. Owen, of Elliston. The sympathy of the town is extended to his bereaved parents.’
Bill’s family also placed a formal tribute: ‘OWEN. —Private William Frederick (Bill), died of wounds, abroad, on July 1, after one year's service, aged 25, dearly beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Owen, of Port Lincoln, brother of Ethel, Nora, May, and Bob. He save all that others may live in peace.’ MR. & MRS. T. H. OWEN and FAMILY of Port Lincoln, sincerely THANK relatives and friends for the many messages of condolence and kind expressions of sympathy in the loss of their beloved son, Pte. W. F. (Bill) Owen. Will all please accept this as a personal acknowledgement of our gratitude.’
Sympathy and support came from different groups in the community, including the Church of St Thomas Bridge group who passed an unanimous resolution expressing sympathy to the parents and relatives of the three soldiers from Port Lincoln who lost their lives in the service of their country. The soldiers were Ptes. Gordon L. Cotton SX1821 2/10th, Bill F. Owen 2/48th and Douglas G. Williams SX11726 27th Battalion.
In extraordinary thoughtfulness many tributes from fellow soldiers were expressed in praise of Bill. These were published in the West Coast Recorder in October. “May the following tributes from the battlefront enshrine in the hearts of the people of Port Lincoln the name of a gallant soldier —the late Private Bill Owen son of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Owen on whose shoulders has been placed a burden which only time and sympathy of their fellow citizens may lighten: — FROM LIEUT. L. H. HEFFRON—It is my duty to write you in connection with your loved son Bill. He was seriously wounded on the night of July 1, when we were moving in to occupy a sticky position. A mortar bomb landed amongst one of my sections and wounded several. Bill was taken to hospital immediately and without fully regaining consciousness, died a few days later. He was buried with the usual formalities in the British cemetery at Tobruk. In the couple of months that I have been in command of this platoon, I have grown to know each one of my men intimately. Bill was a model son, always cheerful and uncomplaining, and most popular with his platoon mates and myself. He would often ask me to sit down and have a yarn for a while and always wore that happy smile so peculiar to him In action and out resting, he was the same old Bill and believe me he is sadly missed. He died as he had lived—without complaint, and fortunately knew little of his suffering. He did his duty nobly and well and was called upon to pay the supreme sacrifice—our pride in his courage intermingles with our sorrow in his loss. Will you and your family accept on behalf of myself and his comrades in this platoon deepest, sincere and heartfelt sympathy in your great loss. I am sure Bill would not like it to be thought that he lost he life, but rather that he gave it, not only for his loved ones, but for the ideals for which so many Britishers are under arms today. All of us here realise only too well that it is our loved ones at home that pay a bitter price in time of war. Always are you wondering where and how your brave boy is— and then the dreaded news—and the ensuing empty years without him. I can understand just a little of what it means to you. In our platoon, we are just one family; we are all pals together and the comradeship that exists between us all is something we value above everything. I trust that through your sorrow will emerge pride in the knowledge that your son, in his great trial, was not found wanting. I trust that even as Bill was brave in his trial, so will you be in yours. His sufferings and sorrows are no more; he rests now after his bitter struggle and God will accept his brave soul above.”
“FROM CAPT. F. A. G. TUCKER—Bill was a popular member of his platoon and always possessed a cheery disposition which always had a good effect upon his comrades. He was always willing to carry out any duties allotted him, and at all times displayed a brave spirit of which the A.I.F. have and will always be proud.”
“FROM PTE. N. PUCKRIDGE - Our company moved into a "sticky" position that night. Bill and four others were detailed to wait a few hundred yards back for a truck carrying stores, which may have been heard by the enemy, who sent over one mortar shell. Unfortunately, this landed right in the midst of them. Bill was a good soldier and popular with the whole company.”
“FROM PTE. R. O. SUNMANN—I was with Bill on the night that he was fatally wounded. There were five of us in a trench when the mortar landed on top of us. Bill was wounded in the head. Please accept my sincerest sympathy.”
“FROM CHAPLAIN B. C. ARCHBOLD —Words are so inadequate at times like these, but we do want you to know that we feel keenly with you in the loss of your son. He had proved himself in every way a real man. We have some splendid fellows in this unit and he was one of the best.”
“FROM CFL. J. F. GOLDING. Although I am unknown to you, I am writing as one of Bill's old friends. I met him at Elliston, where I was stationed prior to my enlistment. He was buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery, a sandy flat within site of the blue Mediterranean. Here with his other comrades he lies, but like you, we, his pals and mates, will never forget him for his sterling qualities.”
“FROM LT.-COL. W. J. V. WINDEYER—I am writing to convey to you my very sincere sympathy, and that of all his companions, with you in the sorrow at the death of your son.”
“FROM SAPPER R. W. DOUDLE—The worst thing to happen to us, especially when soldiering, is to lose a good pal. Bill was even more than that to us, and we know that he had many good friends.”
Then Lieutenant Bill Poole (later Captain) from Port Lincoln wrote home later that month explaining the respect held for Bill. “I have been down to the cemetery and seen Bill Owen's and Stan Scott's graves. We are all going down together later on to cement them up and make a good job of them. We have the crosses neatly finished now and they look very well.” In November he again reported that “I was down at the cemetery with the lads doing up the graves. They made an excellent job of Bill Owen's and Stan Scott's.” This was also reinforced by Private Raymond Whait, SX11158 in Bill’s Battalion. “I was fortunate enough to get to our A.I.F. cemetery and assist in doing up some of our pals' graves. If the people at home could see them now, I think they would be very pleased. Bill Owen's looks very nice.” Similar comments were made by Sergeant Herbert (Blondie) Harvey SX1707: “I went out to the Aussie cemetery the other day and took photos of the graves of Gordon Cotton and Bill Owen. I will send them home when the films are developed.”
For the families, an unexpected but much appreciated gesture came well after hostilities had ceased. In March ’52 ‘Capt. David G. Morison and Mrs. Morison have sent out photographs of four graves in the Australian section of Tobruk Cemetery, with names clearly marked on the crosses. Mrs. Morison was formerly Miss Elva Bennett, of Woodville Park. Mrs. Morison writes that her husband, an English officer, noticed when he took the pictures recently that the graves were beautifully kept and army working parties were still going ahead with improvements. The cemetery, about 10 miles from Tobruk on the El Adem road has a new stone wall around it, and a new chapel is being built inside the gate. Mrs. Morison hopes that relatives can be found here who would like these up-to-date snaps. Names on the four crosses are SX 7714 Private R. C. Leggett. SX333 Private G. H. Price, SX 7616 Private R. M. Altken, and SX7628 Private W. F. Owen.’
Bill rests with 23-year-old SX8429 Private William Songer and 25-year-old SX6108 Private Jack Supple both from the 2/48th Battalion and who died on the 2nd and 1st July respectively. Other young men are from the Australian Army Service Corps and Transport A.A.S.C. 7th and 9th Australian Division, the 2/17th and 2/32nd Divisions. He now rests in the Tobruk War Cemetery in Plot 4 Row F Grave 13. His parents chose the inscription ‘In fond and loving memory of our son Bill. He died a hero.’ Bill is also remembered at the Happy Valley Cemetery at Port Lincoln where his parents Henry and Fanny are both buried in Plot HV1 Row G Plots 12-13. That inscription to Bill reads ‘Died of Wounds at Tobruk 1st July 1941 Aged 25 years.’
His continued to be remembered in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Saturday 9 August 1941, OWEN. —Died of wounds on the 1st of July, abroad. Private William Frederick (Bill) Owen, dearly beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Owen, Port Lincoln, brother of Ethel, Nora, Marj and Bob, aged 25. Not Just today, but every day. In silence we will remember him. He did his bit.
Advertiser, Wednesday 15 July 1942, OWEN. —In loving memory of our dear pal Bill, who died of wounds on active service at Tobruk July 1, 1941. For you sweet rest, for us remembrance. —Inserted by Tas and Myrtle.
Advertiser Thursday 1 July 1943, OWEN. —Cherished memories of Bill, died of wounds, Tobruk, July l 1941. for ever in our thoughts Myrtle and Tas, Port Lincoln.
Advertiser Saturday 1 July 1944, OWEN. William Frederick. —In memory of Bill, who died of wounds at Tobruk, July 1. 1941.—Inserted by loved ones. OWEN. Pte. W. F. (Bill) Treasured memories of our pal Bill, died of wounds, Tobruk July 2, 1941. Always remembered by Myrt and Tas.
Advertiser Monday 1 July 1946, OWEN, Private W. F., 2/48th Bat. — In loving memory of Bill, who died of wounds at Tobruk, July 1, 1941. —Ever remembered by mother, father, family. OWEN, W F. (Bill), SX7628, B Coy., 2/48th Battalion. —A tribute to the memory of our pal Bill, died of wounds, Tobruk, July 1, 1941. —Always remembered by Myrt and Tas, Port Lincoln.
Advertiser Tuesday 1 July 1947, OWEN In loving memory of Bill who died of wounds at Tobruk. July 1941. —Ever remembered by mother, father and family. OWEN. Private W F. 2/48th Batt. A tribute to the memory of our pal Bill died of wounds, Tobruk. July I, 1941 Always remembered by Myrt. and Tas Port Lincoln.
Advertiser Thursday 1 July 1948, OWEN. —In loving memory of Bill, died of wounds. Tobruk. July 1. 1941. —Ever remembered by mother, father, family. OWEN. W. F. (Bill). —Died Of wounds, Tobruk, July 1, 1941. —Remembered by Myrt and Tas.
Advertiser Friday 1 July 1949, OWEN. w. F.—Died of wounds Tobruk. July 1. 1941. Ever remembered. —Inserted by mother, dad UK family. OWEN. —In loving memory of Bill died of wounds Tobruk. July 1. 1941 —Remembered by Myrt and Tas.
Advertiser Saturday 1 July 1950, OWEN. W. F. — In loving memory of Bill, who died of wounds at Tobruk, July 1 1941. To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die. — Always remembered by mother, dad and family. OWEN. — In fond memory of our pal, Bill, died of wounds Tobruk. July 1. 1941. — Ever remembered by Myrt and Tas.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.