Arthur Owen

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Stoke-on-Trent branch

Died: 17 February 1941

Arthur Maelor Owen was born on 8 January 1916, the son of Morgan Maelor Owen and Mabel Jane Owen. He was educated at Dolgelley (Dolgellau) Council School and Dolgelley (Dolgellau) Grammar School.

In October 1934 Owen joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at its Pwllheli branch. He was promoted to clerk in 1937 and moved to Barmouth branch later that year. He then moved to Stoke-on-Trent branch in 1938. Owen joined the Auxiliary Reserve 18 months before the war started and obtained his wings with the Royal Air Force whilst still employed at the bank. On the outbreak of war, in September 1939, he was called up for service and promoted to Sergeant Pilot.

Owen finished his training in January 1940 and passed out as a Sergeant Pilot Instructor, at the age of 24. He saw active service during the evacuation of Dunkirk in June 1940. In autumn 1940 an article appeared in the staff magazine of National Provincial Bank, describing a narrow escape he had had whilst on convoy duty, flying an Anson aircraft. His plane was attacked over the North Sea and lost an engine. As the plane started to go down, Owen released the plane's bombs and the plane crashed into the sea. Owen and his three crew survived, but he almost lost his nose and they had to wait in the water for two and a half hours before being rescued. Owen's nose was sewn back on by a plastic surgeon who happened to be on duty, and after recovering Owen rejoined his unit. 

On 17 February 1941, about 6 months later, Sergeant Arthur Owen was killed in the UK as the result of a flying accident whilst on a training flight. He was 25 years old. Part of the inscription on his gravestone reads 'Ever loved by his wife Mary.'