Pte 16840 Thomas Owen Rowlands

• Age: 20
• From: Bootle, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• Died Sunday 30th May 1915
• Commemorated at: Kirkdale Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: V.N.C.100

Thomas Owen Rowlands was born in December 1894 at Bootle and was the son of William Rowlands and his wife Catherine (nee Owen), who married in 1893. Thomas Owen had siblings William Glyn and Catherine who was born in the December  quarter 1900 and sadly died 1901.

On the 1901 Census he is a "visitor" aged 6, staying with Anglesey born family John and Ann Jones in Bedford Rd, Bootle, John being a cotton porter.

His mother Catherine died in 1903. 

His father remarried in 1908 to Mary Roberts. 

The 1911 Census shows that Thomas aged 16, a shipping clerk, lived with his father 48, a cotton porter born on Anglesey, and his father’s wife of 2 years, Mary 49, at 54 Wadham Road, Bootle, together with his younger brother, William Glynn Rowlands aged 13 years who is at school.

Thomas Owen enlisted at Liverpool on 31^st August 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16840. He gave his age as 19 years and 330 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was five feet four and half inches tall, weighed 115lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, auburn hair and gave his religion as Protestant (Other). He provided the name of his father, William, 54 Wadham Road, Bootle, as his next of kin, although this address was later amended to read 54 Stanley Road.

His service record shows an entry dated 22nd May 1915 stating that he had been discharged as being no longer physically fit for service, but this entry has been crossed out and substituted by “died at home 30^th May 1915 from phythisis (ie tuberculosis)”.

He now rests at Kirkdale Cemetery, Plot V NC 100.

There are 519 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

A report on his funeral appeared in the Crosby Herald on the 12th June 1915.

PRIVATE THOMAS OWEN ROWLANDS, BOOTLE.

On Wednesday, June 2nd, the funeral of the late Private Thomas O. Rowlands took place at Kirkdale Cemetery amidst impressive signs of

affectionate sympathy and regret shown by a very large number of relatives and friends. The deceased was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William

Rowlands, Wadham-road, Bootle, and was only 20 years of age. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted and was stationed at Knowsley. He was a

faithful member of the Welsh C.M. Chapel, Stanley-road, where he was brought up, and a useful member of the Sunday School. Prior to the interment

a service was conducted at the residence, when the pastor of the church (the Rev. O. Lloyd Jones, M.A., B.D.) officiated both at the house and at the

graveside.

The coffin, which was of polished oak, was covered with the Union Jack, sent from Knowsley, on the top of which reposed the deceased's cap and

belt. The bearers were members of the battalion. At the close of the service the firing party from the 2nd City Battalion fired three volleys over the open

grave, after which the "Last Post" was sounded.

Many beautiful floral tributes were sent by relatives and friends, and from the Young People's Committee, Stanley-road W.C.M. Chapel, from his

Teacher and Class, and Mr. R.T. Jones.

The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. Rowlands, Mr. Glyn Rowlands, Mr. Owen Roberts, Miss E. Edwards, Miss Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. J.

Williams, Private Alan Williams, Mr. W.M. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths, Miss K. Griffiths, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Robert Jones, Mr. and

Mrs. Williams, Lieut. W.O. Williams, Mr. Austin Williams, Mr. Vaughan Jones, the Deacons of the Chapel, Misses E. Morris, D. Jones, H. Evans, H.

Roberts, L. Roberts, J. Davies, and R.O. Jones. Captain Blerk, Lieut. Rayment, and Sergt.-Major Gibbs.

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. P. Lloyd Jones, 364, Stanley-road, Liverpool. 

Soldiers Effects to father William.

Thomas Owen Rowlands is commemorated on the following local memorials

Bootle Civic Memorials

Welsh Presbyterian Church, Bootle

Bedford Road Council School, Bootle

Thomas Owen and Idwal Rowlands had consecutive army numbers and may have been related.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Owen Rowlands, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.