A family member found this book online from their home in Sydney Australia and contributed lots of new material.

D. Rickard, aged 8, who drew the handsome WW2 era bomber in the front of this autograph book (the book lasted from WW1 - WW2). Identified himself as Doug Rickard from Austraila via the Great War Forum and provided superb background.

Complete Postcard album of Driver William Edward Owen. A fantastic resource containing roughly 90 postcards, offering a wonderful insight into the life of a soldier during WWI.

These postcards have not yet been transcribed so, visitors to the site are welcome to register, and use the comments section below this entry to add their transcriptions of the written content on these postcards.

The postcards vary in style from embroidery to printed media, and simple message cards.

Attached is the war diary of William Edward Owen.

The full and frank recollections of war within are fascinating to read. W.E. Owen's relatives now live in Luton, but he was originally from Anglesey in Wales.

The 1916 diary contains first hand observations of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916.

Medical history forms enabled the Ministry to keep track of the wounds and ailments affecting soldiers prior to joining, and whilst serving.

Attestation forms are forms that are filled in when an individual enlists (joins) the armed forces.

CHARACTER CERTIFICATE

9922 Driver Owen William Edward

R.H.&R.F.A

This is to certify that the ex soldier named above has served with the colours for four years 196 days and his character during this period has been assessed as very good. Smart worker

Also 8 years colour service and 7 years 123 on BD & Z Reserves

J.M.Smith LT R..

For officer i/c R.H.&R.F.A

Date of Discharge 31/3/20  Woolwich

Certificate of discharge of No 9922 Driver Owen  William Edward  R.H.&R.F.A

Specialist qualifications (military) nil

Chevrons one red four blue

1914 Star

British War Medal 1919

Victory Medal 1919        Wound stripes nil

Enlisted at Bangor !8th May 1900

He is discharged in consequence of termination of engagement

After serving twelve years 196 days with the colours and seven years 123 days in the Army Reserve

Date of Discharge 31/3/20

J.M.Smith Lt Rsn

R.H. &R.F.A Records

Certificate of Transfer to Reserve

Regtl. No9922  Rank Driver

Owen William Edward

Unit & Regimentfrom which transferred to reserve  R.H.& R.F.A.

Enlisted on May 18th 1900

For R.H.&R.F.Artillery

Medals for present campaign not yet awarded

Has served overseas on active service

Place of rejoining in an emergency Preston

Medical category A

Specialist military qualifications nil

Year of Birth 1882

These two pages show the front and back of a card issued to William Edward Owen in May 1908 when he left the army after 8 years.

This suggests he lied about his age . If he was 26 years and 3 months old in May 1908 then his birthday would have been in February  and the year of birth 1882. In fact his date of birth was 2nd  December 1883.

He must have enlisted in May 1900 in Bangor. He has not been found on the 1901 census which took place on the night of 31st March/1st April

He had served in the R.F.A (Royal Field Artillery) as a groom.