RIP - David Thomas Bowen (DHB, 54-60)

David Thomas Bowen:  Donaldsons, 1954 - 1958

Born 30th January 1943 - Died 19th February 2023

David followed his father, David, to Christ College Brecon in 1954 and left in 1960.

When David left CCB he joined his uncle's accountancy practice but very quickly found that this was not for him and he left. David then obtained solicitors articles at Colborne Coulman and Lawrence in Newport under the senior partner Mr E Glyn Evans and he also joined the Guilford Law School. At that time Glyn was the Coroner for Newport and the Under Sheriff for Monmouthshire.

He was admitted to the Solicitors Rolls in 1967. He married Heather Thomas in September 1968 who predeceased him.

David was appointed deputy Coroner for Newport in 1970. In 1974 the political landscape of Wales altered when Monmouthshire County Council was abolished and changed into 5 local County Councils under the umbrella of Gwent. David was then appointed as the Coroner for Gwent. He served in this office until he was compulsory retired from the judicial office aged 75 in 2018 after 44 years. At the time he said: 

“Over 35 years, around 90,000 deaths have been reported to me and have carried out around 8,000 inquests.”

Mr Bowen added that one of the biggest problems with the job is “managing people’s expect“In reality, it is different,” he said. “In TV, they are able to establish exactly what time the person died. In reality, that is exceptionally difficult.”

David was the President of the Coroners Society in 2000 after previously serving the society in various capacities.

David was appointed as the Under Sheriff for Gwent 1992 on the retirement Glyn Evans. He served the Gwent Shrievalty until 2023 when he retired after 30 years.

Thanks to W Hugh Phillips