David John 'Dai' Bowen

Who was David John ‘Dai’ Bowen?

David John ‘Dai’ Bowen was a promising Welsh boxer and Titanic passenger who tragically lost his life at the age of 20 (twenty) when the ship sank on April 15, 1912. Known as the Welsh lightweight champion, Bowen was traveling to the United States to pursue his boxing career when he became one of the many victims of the infamous maritime disaster.

Early Life and Family

David John Bowen was born on July 30, 1891, in Treherbert, Glamorgan, Wales. He was the son of James Bowen and Leah Protheroe, who had married in 1873. Bowen grew up in a large family, with seven known siblings:

• Martha (born 1876)
• Elizabeth (born 1877)
• James Prothero (1879-1954)
• Mary (born 1882)
• Leah (born 1885)
• Margaret (born 1888)
• Stephen (1894-1966)

Family Tragedy and Relocation

Tragedy struck the Bowen family when David’s father passed away around 1897. This loss significantly impacted the family’s circumstances. In the 1901 census, David was living with his widowed mother and siblings at 36 Baglan Street in Treherbert.

In 1902, David’s mother Leah remarried to Morris Owen, a coal miner from Anglesey. The blended family settled at 42 Bagnall Street, Treherbert, as recorded in the 1911 census.

Boxing Career

David Bowen’s passion for boxing led him to become a professional pugilist under the guidance of George Cundick. His achievements in the ring included:

• Winning the Welsh lightweight championship
• Participating in numerous fights across the boxing circuit in Pontypridd, Hartlepool, and South Shields
• Being regarded as a promising fighter with a bright future

Bowen’s last match before his fateful journey took place on March 5, 1912, in Cardiff. His ring weight was described as slightly heavier than his fellow Welsh boxer and Titanic companion, Leslie Williams, who weighed 122 lbs.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Bowen on the Titanic?

David Bowen was traveling to the United States under contract for a series of boxing contests. This opportunity represented a significant step in his career, potentially opening doors for international recognition and success.

Booking the Passage

Bowen and his fellow boxer Leslie Williams booked their passage through the Cardiff office of Dean and Dawson, tourist and steamship agents. Their ticket details were as follows:

• Ticket number: 54636
• Cost: £16, 2s
• Class: Third-class passengers

Interestingly, Bowen and Williams were originally scheduled to travel aboard the Baltic. However, they changed their plans to await the completion of new suits they were having tailored, a decision that would ultimately seal their fate.

Bowen’s Letter from the Titanic

On April 11, 1912, David Bowen wrote a poignant letter to his mother, which he posted from Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland. This letter provides a vivid glimpse into his experience aboard the Titanic and his state of mind during the journey. Here are some key excerpts:

“This is a lovely boat, she is very near so big as Treherbert, she is like a floating palace, against you walk from one end of her to the other you are tired.”

“Dear Mother, I hope that you won’t worry yourself about me, I can tell you that I am a lot better than I thought I would be, for we gets plenty of fun on board.”

“The food we get here is very good but not so good as dear old home.”

The letter showcases Bowen’s excitement about the journey and his efforts to reassure his mother about his well-being. It also provides valuable insights into the experiences of third-class passengers on the Titanic.

The Tragic End

David John Bowen perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. This tragic event cut short the life of a promising young athlete at the age of 20 (twenty), leaving his family and the boxing community to mourn his loss.

Legacy and Remembrance

Memorial and Tributes

David Bowen is commemorated on a headstone in Treorchy Cemetery, alongside his mother Leah Owen and younger brother Stephen. The inscription reads:

In Memory of MY DEAR MOTHER LEAH OWEN DIED DEC. 10, 1918. AGED 63 YEARS. ALSO OF MY DEAR BROTHER DAVID JOHN BOWEN WHO LOST HIS LIFE ON THE S.S. TITANIC APRIL 15, 1912 AGED 20 YEARS “AT REST”

Lasting Memory

The impact of David Bowen’s loss on his family is evident in the fact that his sister Margaret continued to post In Memoriam notices in local papers as late as 1939, more than two decades after the disaster. One such notice read:

BOWEN.—Cherished Memories of David John Bowen (Treherbert), lost in Titanic April 15th, 1912.—Never forgotten.—Sister Margaret, Ty-llwyd, Treorchy.

These tributes appeared in the Western Mail on April 15 in 1933, 1937, 1939, and other years, demonstrating the enduring grief and remembrance of Bowen’s family.

David John ‘Dai’ Bowen’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic. His journey from a small Welsh town to the ill-fated ship, driven by his boxing ambitions, encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of many who sailed on the Titanic, only to have their lives cut short by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.