Life story retold by Paul Beecroft
In
Loving Memory
of
CHARLES OWEN
WHO ENTERED INTO REST
SEPTEMBER 16TH 1913
AGED 60 YEARS
———
ALSO OF
STANLEY FRITZ OWEN
SECOND SON OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED OCTOBER 1ST 1914
AGED 24 YEARS
O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?
O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?
ALSO OF
SARAH OWEN
WIDOW OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED JANUARY 18TH 1933
AGED 80 YEARS
“REST IN PEACE”
Charles and Sarah were yet another couple who were both born in Reading and during their childhood may well have known each other as they lived in close proximity.
Charles OWEN was born in December 1852 and his birth appears to have been registered in the name of Charles Owen WATMORE. He was baptised in the same name on June 12th 1853 in Reading. Only his mother’s name, Ann WATMORE appears to be recorded. Charles was the eldest son and the first born of Charles OWEN and Ann OWEN (nee WATMORE). Charles had eight siblings – James (1854), Sarah (1856), Margaret (1861), Mary Ann (1863), George (1865), Fanny (1867), Henry (1870) and Frederick (1873).
In 1861, the family are living at 4, Sparrow Court, Silver Street, Reading. Charles’s (Senior) occupation is shown as a Bricklayers’ labourer. The 1871 census confirms they are still living at Sparrow Court but Charles (Junior), who by now is 18 years old, is staying in London with another part of the OWEN family.
In 1874, Charles married Sarah LAINSBURY. Sarah was born in 1853. Her parents were William LAINSBURY a builders’ labourer and Elizabeth LAINSBURY (nee PATEY). Sarah had three siblings – William (1848) Marianne/Mary Ann (1850) and Alfred (1854). In 1851 the family are shown as living in Silver Street. The 1861 census is not easily readable, but the home appears to be still in Silver Street. The 1871 census is also slightly confusing and records the family as living at ‘Close Cottage’ which is thought to have been in Perry/Perrys Court which was situated off Silver Street. Sarah is shown as being 18 years old and is employed as a Laundress.
The marriage of Charles and Sarah resulted in three children – Charles Percy [sometimes recorded as Percy Charles] (1889), Stanley Fritz (1891) and Arthur Leslie (1892). The census for 1881 shows Charles and Sarah living at 129, Mount Pleasant which is off Silver Street. Charles is shown as a General Labourer. No occupation is given for Sarah.
The 1891 census now shows them at 43, Mount Pleasant with Charles Percy aged 1 year [approaching 2 years] and Stanley 6 months old. Charles is now employed as a Seedsman’s Assistant and is known to be working for Sutton Seeds. The census for 1901 confirms they still live at 43, Mount Pleasant and all the children are there.
By 1911, they appear to have moved to 47, Mount Pleasant. Charles and Sarah are now both 58 years old. Charles is still employed as a Seedman’s Assistant, although he seems to have later become a painter. Charles Percy is 21 and employed as a Commercial Clerk with Sutton Seeds. Stanley is 20 and employed as a Railway Clerk and Arthur is 19 and employed as an Apprentice for a Photographer.
On Tuesday, September 13th 1913, Charles suddenly died. The Reading Observer printed the following:-
PAINTER’S SAD DEATH
A LIFE THAT WAS LIVED FOR OTHERS
While on his way to work on Tuesday morning, Charles Owen, of 47, Mount Pleasant, died under tragically sudden circumstances. He left home shortly before nine o’clock, and when walking down Silver Street he was taken suddenly ill. He was just able to reach the door of the house at which his sister (Mrs Anderson) lives when he collapsed and died within two minutes. The deceased, who was 60 years of age, had suffered from chronic asthma for many ears. He had been employed as a painter by Messrs. Sutton and Sons. In the Silver Street district he was highly respected for his work on behalf of the Fireside Club and Mission. Formerly he was a chorister at Christ Church and at the time of his death he was a member of the Royal “Berkshire” Lodge of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Lodge a vote of sympathy with his relatives was passed.
The circumstances of Owen’s death were investigated by the Reading Coroner (Mr. J.L. Martin) on Wednesday morning.
SUFFERED FOR TWENTY YEARS
Charles Percy Owen, a clerk, son of the deceased stated that for 20 years his father had suffered from chronic asthma. A few days before his death he had a bad attack, but he thought it was nothing alarming and would not see a doctor. At breakfast time on Tuesday the deceased was not well, but in spite of endeavours to persuade him not to go to work he decided to go. Witness followed him down Silver Street on the way to work, and he was called into Mrs Anderson’s house where he saw the deceased. He was in a collapsed condition on a chair, and was almost dead. Witness went for Dr. Purnell, but when the doctor arrived death had taken place.
William Anderson, chimney sweep, of 26-28, Silver Street, brother-in-law of the deceased, spoke as to seeing the deceased pass the window of his house on Tuesday morning. Witness’ wife went to the door and when she got there the deceased, who had turned back practically fell into her arms. He was fighting for breath. They placed him on a chair, where he died almost immediately.
THE CAUSE OF DEATH
Dr. Purnell, who had made post mortem examination of the body, stated that with the exception of slight congestion of the liver the abdominal organs were in a wonderfully healthy state. That showed that the deceased must have led a very careful life. The heart was comparatively healthy. The immediate cause of death was haemorrhage of the lungs, due to new tuberculosis.
The jury returned a verdict accordingly, and in expressing the jury’s sympathy with the relatives, the Foreman (Mr. Wheeler) remarked that the deceased, whom he had known all his life, had always lived for the good of others.
His funeral too place on Monday, September 22nd and was again reported in newspapers including the following in The Chronicle:-
FUNERAL OF MR. C. OWEN
The respect held for Mr. Charles Owen, who died suddenly last week, was shown at the funeral, which was held on Monday, the first portion being said at Christ Church, the vicar officiating. The choir, of which the deceased was formerly a member, led the singing, the hymns being “Jesu, Lover of my soul” and “Peace, perfect peace.” The organist (Mr. A.W. Moss, F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M.) played “O rest in the Lord,” and the Dead March from “Saul.” The mourners were Mrs. Owen (widow), Messrs. C.P. and S.F. Owen (sons), James and George Owen (brothers), Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Yates (sisters),. . . .The coffin was carried by Messrs. O. Sheppard, C. Amor, J. Bartlett and T. Perkins, colleagues of the deceased at Messrs. Sutton and Son’s. Others present included Messrs. A.W. Sutton, T. Kinchin, H.G. Cox, A.H. Leaver and T. Waite. Wreaths were sent by the widow and sons, Mrs. Anderson and family, Mrs Yates and family, . . . Mr. L.G. Sutton (president) and members of the Fireside Club and Mission, fellow workers at Messrs. Sutton and Son’s, the choristers of Christ Church, the organist Mr. A. Sutton, member of the Silver Street Mission Hall Men’s Bible Class. . . .Memorial services for Mr. Owen will be held at the Fireside Mission room on Sunday.
Charles was then buried in Reading Old Cemetery.
The following year the Owen family suffered further tragedy when Stanley passed away. No reason is known as to how he died or why he was in the sanatorium. The Reading Standard reported the following:-
DEATHS.
OWEN.- On October 1st, at Northwood Sanatorium, Stanley Fritz Owen, second son of the late Charles Owen of 47, Mount Pleasant, Reading, aged 24 years.
No details are known of his funeral, but he was buried in Reading Old Cemetery with his father.
Sarah continued living in Mount Pleasant until her death on January 18th 1933. She was then buried with her husband and son.
Division 78, Row A, Plot 9