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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Harold Heber Owen

In memory of:

Lieutenant Harold Heber Owen

January 30, 1916

Military Service


Age:

22

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)

Division:

7th Bn.

Citation(s):

1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. Mentioned in Despatches, on 31 December 1915, and 30 April 1916.

Additional Information


Born:

July 2, 1893
Toronto, Ontario

Enlistment:

September 25, 1914
Valcartier, Quebec

Son of Major, Reverend Cecil Caldbeck of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral and Alice Owen, of Vancouver, British Columbia. Brother of Winnifred, Margaret, Alice and Beatrice Owen. Lieutenant Owen is commemorated on stain glass window # 19, Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also listed on the Roll of Service located in the Chancel Alcove on the South Wall, Christ Church Cathedral and he is also commemorated in the University of British Columbia World War One Killed in Action Book located in the lobby of the War Memorial Gymnasium, Vancouver, British Columbia. The family of Lieutenant Owen erected a memorial in Surrey, British Colombia honouring their son. The top or brushed concrete portion of the memorial is 31 inches high and the total height is 45 inches. The black polished granite dedication stone inset into the south face of the memorial measures 30 inches at the top and 50 inches on the foot. The original monument was erected around the time of Lt. Owen's death, and was redone and rededicated in the late 1990's. The buildings, sited on the grounds of Camp Alexander, and the property are owned by the Great Vancouver Neighbourhood Society. This is a non-profit society sponsored by the United Appeal, and dedicated to helping younger persons in need.

Commemorated on Page 144 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

III. B. 35.

Location:

BERKS CEMETERY EXTENSION is located 12.5 kilometres south of Ieper town centre on the N365 leading from Ieper to Mesen (Messines), Ploegsteert and on to Armentieres. From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg (N336). 3.5 kilometres along the N336 lies a fork junction with the N365. The N365 which forms the right hand fork leads to the town of Mesen. The BERKS CEMETERY EXTENSION lies 3 kilometres beyond Mesen on the right hand side of the N365 and opposite Hyde Park Corner Royal Berks Cemetery.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Memorial– Photo from the National Memorial Album of Canadian Heroes c.1919. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Photo of HAROLD HEBER OWEN– Photo from the National Memorial Album of Canadian Heroes c.1919. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Daily Colonist of February 12, 1916. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist58y54uvic#mode/1up
  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women of London, Ontario (and area) who went to war and did not come home. Remembered on the pages of the World War One issues of the London Advertiser. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Daily Colonist of March 9, 1916. Image taken from web address of https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist58y76uvic#mode/1up
  • Newspaper clipping– From the London Free Press Feb. 1916. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From a World War 1 issue of the Vancouver Daily News Advertiser. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harold Heber Owen– From: The Varsity Magazine Supplement published by The Students Administrative Council, University of Toronto 1916.  
Submitted for the Soldiers' Tower Committee, University of Toronto, by Operation Picture Me.
  • Newspaper Clipping
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Toronto Star. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune during World War One. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg, Wednesday, February 9, 1916
  • Newspaper Clipping– Source:  The Globe Toronto February 3 1916
  • Honour Roll– "University of Toronto / Roll of Service 1914-1918", 1921.
  • Memorial– This photograph shows the flag pole and memorial erected by the family of Lieutenant Harold Heber Owen honouring his life and sacrifices made for freedom and honour.
  • Memorial– Family memorial erected to honour the life of Lieutenant Harold Heber Owen.  The Memorial is located at Surrey, British Columbia.
  • Entrance
  • Grave Marker
  • Stained Glass Window– This window at Christ Church, 690 Burrard St., Vancouver is dedicated in memory of Lieutenant Harold Herber Owen, son of Cecil Owen, third rector of Christ Church, (1904-1919). Lieutenant Owen was killed in battle in 1916. It depicts a soldier in the First World War battle dress. Christ has come to take him across the River of Life to his eternal home, signified by three angels and the distant radiant Latin Cross. The Reverend Cecil Owen was one of the most loved of Vancouver's citizens; for the rest of his career (1921-1947, he retired at age 81) he was a hospital chaplain and was the primary force behind the founding of the World Wide Help Organization, Save the Children. At his funeral in 1954 the crowds flowed out of Christ Church Cathedral onto the streets as thousands came to pay their respects.

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A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST

IN MEMORY OF LIEUT HAROLD HERBER OWEN
AT REST JANUARY 30TH 1916

Photo Credit: Julie Clements 
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/nic-inm/sm-rm/mdsr-rdr-eng.asp?PID=7873

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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