News
< Go back to all News articles
Wilfred Owen, Poet & Soldier – born in Oswestry
WILFRED EDWARD SALTER OWEN was born on the 18th March 1893 in Oswestry at Plas Wilmot, an idyllic, stylish home, built in 1830 by his great grandfather, Edward Salter, the son of an Oswestry timber merchant.
In 1897, following the necessary sale of a much-loved home, the family eventually settled in Birkenhead, with his father Tom being appointed stationmaster. A young Wilfred, aged 7, began attending the local institute. In 1907, the family moved once again to Shropshire following Tom’s promotion.
After a time in Dunsden (Sep 1911 – Feb 1913) as a Vicar’s lay assistant, Wilfred left to teach English in France, returning in 1915 to enlist with the Artists’ Rifles – he was later commissioned to the Manchester Regiment.
In 1917, he fought on the front line in France. Sent home suffering shell shock, he was treated at Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh, where he met established poet, Siegfried Sassoon. In August, he returned to France and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery. Wilfred was killed in battle on 4th November 1918, just days before armistice. His family received the news on the very day the church bells rang out to mark the end of the war.
(Picture: Wilfred with mother, Susan,and Grandfather, Edward Shaw in top hat)
For more information, visit the Wilfred Owen Town Trail page.
