William OWEN

                   "William Own, I believe, an officer in the Life Guards, but whether commissioned or not I cannot say.  He was reputed to be an expert swordsman, and not only to have served through out the Peninsular War, but also to have distinguished himself at Waterloo.  His wife died at Bedford College, October 10, 1861, aged 67.    William Owen(s) was a native of Llandudno and when young had enlisted in the 2nd Life Guards.  He was promoted to the rank of non-commissioned officer and served under the Duke of York at Volenciem in the Low Countries and was with Wellington at Madrid. He served throughout the Peninsular campaigns and was present at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.  The Census Returns of 1851 describe  him as a farmer of 32 acres employing two labourers and states that he was a Chelsea pensioner."  (notes from R. Fred Roberts in Abergele, Wales, 1990)

Sacred to the memory of William Owen, Cefn Isaf, who departed this life January 17th, 1859, aged 88 years.  With the Duke of York in Volenciem in 1803.  With Wellington at Madrid 1812.  
       Rest, aged veteran, they rough warfare
       Now hath ceaed in endless rest,
       And thy weary soul is sleeping
       With the spirits of the blest.
       To thy country's cause were given
       Thy best days when young and brave,
       Now under thy native mountains sleeping
       Best and hallowed be thy namel.

(tombstone inscription, Llanddulas Churchyard, Llanddulas, Wales.)