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mixed borders and many new ornamental trees. He grew Christmas trees as a commercial crop, and he developed a partridge and pheasant shoot. All this was achieved whilst working extraordinarily long hours with Dobbies, crisscrossing the country visiting all garden centres as they were purchased, developed or improved. When he retired from Dobbies he was able to give his full attention to his estate and farm. He knew every acre intimately and it was a real pleasure to be driven around with him discussing plans and new projects, such as the introduction of bee-hives so he could make honey. He was very involved with the Songbird Survival Trust and each main pathway across the whole farm had double hedgerows, bird feeders at regular intervals and strips of wild flowers which were sown annually. His wildflower fields were remarkable, awash with every sort of native flower – orchids, daisies, cowslips, campion, cornflowers, yellow rattle and many more.
How did Johnny relax? He enjoyed boating and kept a power boat in Menorca for some years. This was then exchanged for a motor yacht which was based in Croatia in the Adriatic. He cruised throughout the Mediterranean area, most often with Julia, his children and old regimental friends. Shooting, golf
David J O Owen MBE DL
David Owen was born on 16th June 1939. He joined the Army as a National Service Officer in 1959, commissioning into the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) from Mons in 1960. Coincidentally, he became great friends with Capt (Retd) Peter Gray, Royal Scots Greys whilst at Mons.
At the time, the Carabiniers were stationed in Catterick as the Royal Armoured Corps training unit. With the prospect of spending his two years of National Service in Catterick, David was open to temptation and did not have to wait long. Having met some kindred spirits in a pub one evening, he discovered that The Royal Warwicks, based in Hong Kong, were looking for an Infantry-Tank liaison officer. This was an opportunity too good to miss, and he successfully persuaded the powers that be to send him on this assignment for one year.
Thoroughly enjoying soldiering in Hong Kong and made to feel very welcome by the Warwicks, David decided to transfer his commission to spend
and flyfishing were enjoyed and he was a talented self-taught water colour artist. In earlier days, he was part of the British Army Cresta team in St Moritz. He loved speed and it was a memorable experience being with him on a car journey particularly when he was in a hurry.
Mordington estate was devastated by Storm Arwen in November 2021. Many trees were damaged and uprooted, walls and fences were smashed down, but Johnny, Julia, their eldest son Thomas, and the loyal farm man Robert, made huge strides in the process of clearing up and replanting before Johnny died. Fortunately, little damage was done to the delightful garden and interesting walled garden which is adjacent to the Garden House where he and Julia moved to from Mordington House a few years ago to make way for his son and family.
Johnny was buried in his favourite wildflower field on the high ground above the farm with far reaching views to the Cheviot Hills in the distance. There are plans for the site to be surrounded on three sides by a copse.
MAJOR M. K. SHENNAN November 2022
his second year with them as a platoon commander. He was highly regarded by his fellow officers and soldiers, who had great affection for him even long after they had all retired. His professional highlight was being temporarily assigned as ADC to Field Marshal Montgomery when he visited Hong Kong, and accompanying him on a visit into China. David was kept in the dark as to purpose of Monty’s visit at the time, later discovering once the secret records were publicly disclosed that it was for a diplomatic meeting with Chairman Mao. This explained why he had been left in charge of guarding the train at an eerily quiet station deep in the countryside.
After his National Service David returned home to Coventry, remaining connected to the Army through Territorial Service. He did many things as he forged his vibrant and successful career. A school friend of Brian Epstein from Wrekin College, he ventured into the music industry, managing pop bands such as the Animals. On one occasion he had to play the drums during a studio session when the drummer was absent, and the main recording on that day became the commercial release of House of the Rising Sun. In due course he took over the family business, a Coventry-based retail and wholesale company. He subsequently opened a café in neighbouring premises,
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