Corporal (Cpl) John Owens’ rededication service took place on 16 October 2024, organized by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives.’ The ceremony was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Anzio War Cemetery in Italy.
John Alfred Owens was born on 16 December 1911 in Southwark, London, to Harry Owens, a milkman, and his wife Louisa. His sister Amy was born in 1912, followed by his younger brother Alfred in 1919. John joined the Territorial Army as a tool maker in 1929, at the age of 18. His army records describe him as having a fresh complexion with brown eyes and dark hair.
In 1933, he married Violet Maud Dennis in Brentford, and they had three children: Doreen, Sidney, and Barbara. He left the Territorial Army in 1935 but re-enlisted in 1938. Following the outbreak of war in 1939, he was promoted to Lance Corporal and later to Corporal. Initially assigned to home defense duties, he embarked for North Africa in May 1943 in preparation for the invasion of Italy. His unit, the Middlesex Regiment’s 2/7 Battalion, served as machine gunners supporting infantry troops.
By January 1944, John had reached Italy and was stationed in the Anzio area by the end of the month. During a German counterattack on the night of 3 to 4 February 1944, he and another soldier, Private (Pte) Harris, volunteered to recover a gun carrier and other equipment left behind to ensure their unit’s safe retreat. Unfortunately, both men went missing during the mission. Pte Harris was captured by the Germans, while an Army investigation concluded that Cpl Owens had been wounded and captured, dying in enemy hands on or shortly after 4 February.
After his death, he was buried near Campoleone station at Aprilla alongside two other men. In August 1944, all three bodies were relocated to the Anzio War Cemetery. The other two soldiers were identified through personal artifacts, but John was only identified as a Corporal of the Middlesex Regiment.
Tracy, the granddaughter of Cpl Owens, stands behind his headstone with members of the military party and other dignitaries (Crown Copyright)
Recently, independent researchers submitted evidence to the CWGC, suggesting they had located Cpl Owens’ final resting place. This research was reviewed, and further investigations by the National Army Museum and JCCC confirmed his burial site, allowing for his identification 80 years after his death.
JCCC Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said:
Researching Cpl Owens and getting to know his war story has been a fascinating journey. It has been a privilege to have played a part in the conclusion of that stories and to know that his family finally have answers to what happened to him all those years ago.
Director for Central and Southern Europe at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said:
We give our heartfelt thanks to the team of researchers, the National Army Museum and of course the JCCC, in working with us to help identify this brave soldier’s grave. We will care for his grave and commemorate all who are buried in the beautiful grounds of Anzio War Cemetery.
Images
(1) Tracy, the granddaughter of Cpl Owens, stands behind his headstone with members of the military party and other dignitaries (Crown Copyright)
(2) Cpl John Alfred Owens with his wife and children (supplied courtesy of his family)