Charles E Bowen
Charles was born15/10/1898 in Penarth. Foster son of Mr & Mrs SJ Bowen of Paget Place Penarth. His original name was Vail. Before the war he was a clerk employed by Cory & Sons, shipowners of Cardiff (information from the Penarth Times dated 20/09/1917). Baptised 01/11/1898 the son of Joseph Henry, a sailor, and Lena Vail of 8 John Street. Described as ‘adopted son’ Charles Vail was living at 8 Paget Terrace with John Bowen, a dock pilot, his wife Sarah, Lena Vail, a border and Laura Price, servant (1901 census) Described as ‘nephew’ Charles Vail was living at 12 Paget Place with John and Sarah Jane Bowen and Edward Blainey a boarder (1911 census). Joseph Henry Vail, aged 22, son of James Vail married Lena Price, aged 20, daughter of Charles Price, on 05/09/1897. Joseph Henry Vail aged 23 died 25/05/1899 in Gravesend, Kent and is buried in the Municipal Cemetery. Lena Vail remarried in 1901. Charles served in the 1st / 6th Battalion, the Kings (Liverpool Regiment) with the rank of Private ( service number 88851). He was killed in action on 9th April 1918 and is buried in I. E. 11, Serre Road Cemetery No 2. Chas. Ernest Bowen, born 15th October 1898, son of John Bowen of 9 Paget Terrace was registered at Albert Road, Penarth Board School / Albert County Junior and Infants School on 18th June1903.