Researching Owen Evans

Owen Evans was educated at Llandovery School and the Imperial College of Science. In 1896 he joined the civil service (Inland Revenue Department). Later he read for the Bar and was called to Gray's Inn. He practised law in London until 1916 when he joined the Mond Nickel Company. Rising through the ranks, he eventually became chief administrative officer of the company. He later became vice-president of the International Nickel Company of Canada.

He was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Cardiganshire at a by-election in 1932, following the resignation of the Liberal MP Rhys Hopkin Morris. Evans held the seat until his sudden death, probably of heart failure, shortly before the 1945 general election. His death robbed him of becoming a Knight Bachelor; his appointment had been announced in the Dissolution Honours List published on 7 June 1945 but he died before he could be knighted.

In public life in Wales he was a member of the Councils of the University colleges of Aberystwyth and Swansea, treasurer of the college at Aberystwyth and of the National Museum of Wales. He was also a governor and member of the Council of the National Library of Wales.

Evans, who excelled in athletics while at Wesley College, played 64 games for South Melbourne, in seven seasons. The Wesley College recruit was on a half forward flank for South Melbourne in the 1936 VFL Grand Final loss to Collingwood. His career best goal tally was eight goals, which he got against Hawthorn at Lake Oval in 1940. He also played for Victorian Football Association club Coburg, crossing without a clearance during the 1941 season during the throw-pass era, and he later played for the City club in Tasmania.