Driver Thomas Owen
| Date of Birth | c. 1880 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | |
| Date of Death | 14 June 1917 |
| Service Number | 3807 |
| Military Service | B' Battery, 63rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Thomas was born around 1880 in Mitcham. There are no records of his early years, but on 3 September 1914 aged 34, he enlisted in Mitcham with the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver. His personal details were recorded as follows: Height- 5 feet 4inches. Weight - 167lbs. Chest - 40 inches, expansion -2 inches. Complexion - ruddy. Eyes - blue. Hair - fair.
A Driver was a military rank equivalent to the rank of private. The rank was initially used in the Royal Artillery for the men who drove the teams of horses which pulled the guns. Thomas was part of the 63rd Brigade of The Royal Field Artillery, which was the largest arm of the artillery. It was responsible for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line. During 1917, the Brigade would have been involved in various actions at Arras, France, including the 1st battle of the Scarpe, Battle of Arleux and 3rd battle of the Scarpe (9 April – 16 May).
Thomas was killed in action on 14 June 1917, and was buried at in Bunyans Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, Pas de Calais, France. This was a small cemetery of 54 First World War Burials, mainly soldiers from the 62nd and 63rd Brigade. He is also commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial, and St. Marks Church, Mitcham.
As Thomas enlisted early on in the War, rather than being conscripted, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star Medal. He also was entitled to the British War Medal, and Victory Medal.