Robert Haylock Owen

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Owen was born in Wollongong on 7th January, 1862 and was a career soldier. He enlisted in the Militia Artillery as a Lieutenant in 1885 and was sent to the Sudan as part of the New South Wales contingent.

In 1886 Lieutenant Owen was commissioned into the Prince of Wales volunteers and served in Natal. In 1900 he became Chief Staff Officer to New Zealand Local Forces and served with them in South Africa. In October, 1902 he was promoted to Major.

Robert had retired from the Army and returned to Wollongong when war came. He was recalled to take up the Commanding Officer role of 3rd Battalion at age 52. He sailed with his men to Egypt and then to Gallipoli where he landed with his battalion and served on the front lines until 22nd June, 1915 when he was wounded in action. The wound was minor but he was evacuated to Egypt for treatment and rest.

Lieutenant Colonel Owen was returned to Australia due to his age in October, 1915. In 1917 he was appointed temporary Director of Duntroon Military College. After the war he was placed on the reserve list. He had been mentioned in despatches by General Hamilton for his service on Gallipoli.

In 1890 Robert married Hilda Rowell in London and she travelled the world with him. They had two sons and a daughter. Robert and Hilda went to England and lived in Devon until he died in 1927. Their son Percy served and was killed at Passchendaele in 1917.