Owen Valentine's Story.
Birkenhead News 15 May 1918
BOY’S BRIGADE WORKER DIES OF WOUNDS.
The death has taken place at a military hospital in France, as a result of wounds received in action, of Sergt. O. V. Burns (Bob). He was acting Company Sergeant-Major at the time. Sergt. Burns was early in life a member of the band in the Northumberland Fusiliers. On coming into civil life he became a postal servant. He as for some time a trumpeter in the Denbighshire Hussars, joined the 4th Cheshires as a bandsman, and soon after mobilisation fulfilled the duties of bandmaster. He went to France early in September, and was home on leave just a few weeks ago. His death will be sadly felt by a large circle of friends by whom he was highly respected. He was connected with St. Laurence’s Boys Brigade for some time. Sergt. Burns leaves behind a sorrowing wife and three children, for whom much sympathy will be felt.
Owen's three children mentioned in the article are Edward, Gertrude, and Owen Valentine who joined the RAF in 1939 and flew during the Battle of Britain.
Owen Burns’ newspaper photograph, article and research by Chris Booth