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David John Bowen
(ABCS 1932 - 1938)

David J Bowen, Abernant
David John Bowen

David Bowen, better known as ‘Non’, came from Abernant, where he lived at 3 Park View Terrace. He was born in April 1920 the son of Daniel & Mary Bowen.

His education began at the local elementary school, and he transferred to the County School in 1932. He gained his School Certificate with matriculation equivalence in 1936, and stayed on into the school’s sixth form until March 1938 when he joined the Civil Service working for the Air Ministry.

Later he worked at Bletchley Park and then on a project involving the development of radar. He enlisted into the RAFVR and served in Italy as a Leading Aircraftsman, but was invalided home. At the age of 25, in October 1945, he died of cancer at Church Village hospital, which was then a military hospital.

Although he did not die in action, a number of senior military officers attended his funeral at the Aberdare Cemetery. His grave can be found near to the main gate.

David’s name is listed on the Memorial Plaque that still hangs in the School’s Assembly Hall. Details of all the School’s World War 2 casualties can be found in the School History section of this website.

 


Whilst living in London, David attended the Castle Street Welsh Baptist Chapel. After the War, the chapel commemorated its casualties by erecting a plaque, shown below. Today, the plaque can be seen at the Welsh Church of Central London, Eastcastle Street, W1. If you visit this church you will find his name on the World War II Roll of Remembrance.

Plaque at Eastcastle St, W1
Acknowledgements: David Bowen Evans and John Samuel
for information and photographs for this account.

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