O Williams (1893 - 1917)

Owen Edgar Williams was born at Brierley Hill in 1893 and was baptised there on 14th January, 1894. He was the son of James Williams and his wife Annie Kate. By 1911, James was manager of a firebrick works and the family lived at Witley Lodge, Stourbridge Road, Halesowen.

Owen was educated at Bridgnorth Grammar School. He was subsequently apprenticed as an electrical engineer.

Owen served first as a private in the Worcesetershire Yeomanry before transferring to the Worcestershire Regiment. He was commissioned shortly before his death in action in Egypt at the Second Battle of Gaza on 19th April, 1917. At the time of his death he was serving with the 1/4th Welsh Regiment and was attached to the Imperial Camel Corps.

Second Lieutenant Williams was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 1915 Star.

LIEUT. O. E. WILLIAMS (KILLED)
[Birmingham Daily Post. 2nd May 1917]
Mr. and Mrs. James Williams, of Witley Lodge, Stourbridge Road. Hales Owen, have received information of the death in action on the 19th ult. of their son, Second Lieutenant Owen Edgar Williams, who was attached to the Welsh Regiment. The young officer, who was in his 25th year, joined the Worcestershire Yeomanry at the outbreak of war, and served for some months in the Gallipoli campaign. Subsequently he was attached to the Imperial Camel Corps. He received his commission in March, 1916, and had been in France some months before meeting his fate.