Dr John Owen (1890-1983)

John Lewis Owen came from humble working class beginnings to becoming a leader in cancer research in Edinburgh, reputed as being one of the figures responsible for our modern understanding on the origins of cancer and his work is integral to the development of cancer methodologies utilised today. 

John was born in 1890, in Melbourne. He came to Fremantle with his parents at the age of two. His father John Owen (1853-31) was Welsh. He arrived in WA in 1896 with wife Margaret Davies (1967-1947) and they first lived in at a Hamilton Hill orchard, where John worked as a dairyman until 1928. He then retired to 19 Hamilton-street, East Fremantle.

John was the eldest of a large family of children; six brothers: Lloyd, David (Dave), Ivor, Ellis (Tom) and Vaughan, and two sisters Margaret and Bronwen. The children went to White Gum Valley school and when he was 13 John realised that his parents were not in the position to provide him with adequate monetary assistance to further his studies, so he studied and won a scholarship to Scotch College for three years.

In 1906 he left  the College to enter the Government Analyst's laboratory, and set about further studying, with the idea of having a shot for the W.A. Government University Exhibition for £450. He won, self taught, the coveted award, which gave him entry to Edinburgh University for 5 years.

He studied at Edinburgh until, in 1915, his fifth year, WW l broke out and he immediately volunteered for service. Dr. Owen served in various hospitals until drafted into the Navy, and from 1916-1918 he was a bacteriologist and pathologist with Great Britain’s Grand Fleet. He served as a doctor on the H.M.S New Zealand (during her wartime service the H.M.S New Zealand and was hit by enemy fire only once, sustaining no casualties; her status as a ‘lucky ship’ was attributed by the crew to a Māori piupiu (warrior's skirt) and hei-tiki (pendant) worn by the captain during battle). (reference)

After the war, in 1919 he married Agnes Helen Swan Watson and they had three children. He returned to Edinburgh, set up private practice which became one of the biggest practices in the city.

In December 1930 John Owen returned to Fremantle with his wife and family on  the S.S Esperance Bay. There was a happy reunion on the wharf when Dr. Owen met his parents after 20 years’ absence. Dr. Owen spent four months holiday with his parents, who resided in East Fremantle. Perhaps he had returned to see his father who may have been gravely ill, because John Snr died in January 1931.

1931: Death On January 31, at his late residence, ‘Alloway’, 19 Hamilton-street, East Fremantle, John Owen, dearly beloved husband of Margaret Owen, and loving father of Margaret (Mrs. H. T. Richards, Koolanooka), John (Edinburgh) and Ivor, Ellis, Vaughan, Lloyd, Bronwen and David Owen (East Fremantle); aged 77 years. (Reference)

1930 Success of Dr. John Owen- A young man of whom Fremantle has cause to be proud is Dr. John Lewis Owen, at present visiting his family at East Fremantle after an absence of 20 years. A general practitioner at Edinburgh, he also devotes considerable time to cancer, working in collaboration with other eminent scientists... on research work, and teaching at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. (reference)

1930 Our investigations should lead discovery of means to eradicate or alleviate cancer, said Dr. John Owen who arrived today from England, where he has been engaged in cancer research for the past five years. Always in the past we have tried to find a cure for cancer, but now we are trying to find out what cancer is. (reference) 

Dr Owen was recognised as one of the leading researchers into the field of oncology, revolutionising techniques by his cellular experimentation in the laboratory. He was not afraid to rebut the theories of older doctors and shared the modern ideas in an article in 1931:

“Criticism of Mr. J. Ellis Barker’s article on the mystery of cancer. Which was renewed in Monday's issue of The Daily News was offered today by Dr. John Owen, a former Scotch college student, who has been practicing in Edinburgh for the past 20 years: At the outset Dr. Owen said: “I think the best informed medical opinion would still continue to advise persons suffering from, or suspected of, cancer, to consult a surgeon of repute, who will undoubtedly advise an early and radical removal and, if possible combine radium treatment. I venture to submit that Mr. Barker himself would not be long in seeking surgical assistance if he had the dire misfortune to become a victim of cancer… Dangerous Deductions: On the face of it there would seem to be a good deal of truth in what Mr. Barker says, but on further scrutiny and careful analysis it can be shown that many of the statements are open to serious objection. Several are not only wide of the truth, but amount almost to a slander and certainly are very misleading to that section of the lay public for which they are intended. In fact, they are positively dangerous and cannot be allowed to pass without challenge… Cancer Research: Discussing cancer research this morning Dr. Owen said that he was tackling the problem of growing the cells in the laboratory under conditions which permitted of their being actually photographed at short intervals on film which is then shown on a screen enabled the biology of the cells to be studied at leisure. (reference)

After his visit in 1931, John’s two brothers quit their jobs and moved to Edinburgh to become doctors.

1938 Three sons are now doctors Mrs. M. Owen, of East Fremantle said that her two sons, Messrs. Lloyd M. Owen and David L. Owen had attained the degree of Bachelor of Medicine at Edinburgh University. Her eldest son Dr. John Owen has been in private practice in Edinburgh for the past 18 years. The newly qualified students decided on a medical career following a visit from England of their brother in 1931…(reference)

1947 Dr David Owen, accompanied by his English wife and three children, Peter (7), Joy (5) and Ian (5 months) returned to Perth. He had served in North Africa, Sicily and Greece, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel... (reference)

1948 Dr. David Owen, of Fremantle, who recently returned from England, was given a civic welcome by Mayor Sir Frank Gibson, M.L.C, in the mayor’s parlour today. Dr Owen left Fremantle 15 years ago with his brother, Dr. Lloyd Owen served as a surgeon with the British Army, was awarded the D.S.O and M.B.E and was twice mentioned in despatches. (reference) 

1948: First Aid: Fremantle women’s division of St. John Ambulance Brigade…..Dr David Owen was the adjudicator. (reference)

When qualified Dr Lloyd Owen joined his eldest brother John in private practice near London. During the war he worked in an army base hospital, treating air-raid victims and wounded servicemen. He was then transferred to the Ministry of Pensions Hospital became senior medical officer and relieving superintendent. In 1948 he joined his brother David Owen in private practice in Fremantle.  (reference)

In the 1950s John returned to Perth and set up a practise here. In 1958 he was living at 361 Canning Highway, Palmyra, in 1972 he lived at 85 Swan Road, Attadale and in 1980 at 7/16 Murray Road, Palmyra.

Research by Roberto Scafidi for www.streetsofeastfreo