Flt Lt Herbert Ernest Malcolm Owen was born and raised in Brithdir, near Dolgellau, Merionethshire. He was the younger son of the Rev and Mrs E J Owen. Rev Owen was the Rector of Brithdir Church.
Malcolm enlisted in the army in 1916 and joined The Gordon Highlanders where he served in France with that regiment. He later transferred to The Artist Rifles before gaining a commission with the Royal Flying Corps.
According to reports, Malcolm died on 18 July 1917, on a training flight at an RFC airfield in Lincolnshire. He took off, reaching about fifty feet when the aircraft fell out of the sky. It crash landed and burst into flames. Despite efforts to reach him, he died in the aircraft.
Malcolm was brought home to Brithdir and was buried with full military honours.
An epitaph read:
"Huned ein cyfaill ieuanc yn dawel, a chwythed yr awel yn dyner dros fan fechan ei fedd" "Yr hyn a allodd hwn, efe a'i gwnaeth"
In March 1918 a service was held at St Mark's Church, Brithdir to dedicate a Lectern which had been made in Malcolm's memory.
Malcolm is buried in St Mark's Churchyard, Brithdir. He is commemorated on the War Memorial in Dolgellau.
We will remember him.
Emrys Tippett