Cowen, John Edward

John Edward Cowen was born in Warwick early in 1893 and was christened on 5th March 1893 at St Mary’s. The church register records that his father, also John, was a Colour Sergeant and gives his residence as Budbrooke Barracks.

In 1901, his parents, John and Theresa (nee Hutchings), were living and working as Stewards at the Liberal Club in Redditch.  Also living there at the time were John’s older brother Herbert (9), his younger sister Olive (7) and his mother’s sister Lily Hutchings.

By 1911, the family had moved to 105 Bordesley Green, Birmingham.  John Senior is described as an ‘army pensioner’.  John and his older brother Herbert are both working as butchers and Olive is working as a shop assistant.  New additions to the family are Theresa Minnie (3), Thomas Frederick (2), and Frank Colin (3 months).

John married Leah Hazelhurst in Aston in early 1915.

John’s mother Theresa completed the Shrine application for John’s name to appear on Warwick War Memorial as she was living back in Warwick at 36 Chapel Street.

Theresa died on 9th April 1938, aged 66.  John Thomas died on 28th April 1941, aged 85. They are buried together in Warwick’s Birmingham Road Cemetery (S/11/1).