Owen, Evelyn

DESCRIPTION

NameOwen, EvelynBiographyEvelyn (Evo) Owen lived in a hut at the foot of Macquarie Pass. His mother Constance was the daughter of Sir William McMillan, who owned a summer residence at nearby Tongarra, named 'River Farm'.

Evo worked on the prototype for his famous Owen Gun at Brewster’s Garage at Albion Park, where he turned parts for the gun on the garage lathe.

The Owen Gun saved thousands of Australian lives during World War 2. It had just one moving part and was reliable in jungle warfare at New Guinea and Kokoda. It operated in wet, humid, and muddy conditions, unlike other guns available at the time. The gun could be manufactured for £12 compared to £50 for the British Sten Gun, but its manufacture was delayed for years by authorities who preferred the British weapon.

The Owen Gun was tested and produced at Lysaghts, Port Kembla, and finally cleared for production in 1943. It became a vital part of the defence of Australia during the war.

Evelyn got little recognition of his famous Owen Gun and a large portion of the money he made for his invention was taxed. He died in 1949 just short of his 34th birthday.

External LinkOwen Gun PatentedWar Definitions Owen GunOwen Gun AcceptedThe Man Who Knew his Gun was GoodAmazing Facts Behind the Owen Gun Hold-upOwen Sub Machine GunOwen Gun RoyaltiesBankrupting OwenEven Owen Can't have Owen GunThe Extraordinary Story of Evelyn Owen, the Young Man with a GunPolice Seize Owen Gun at Home of InventorOwen Gun Inventor Dies

Photograph

Evelyn Owen 1915 - 1949

Evelyn Owen and Len Radford

Evelyn Owen 1915-1949

Family

Owen

McMillan

Brewster

Locality

Macquarie Pass

Evelyn Owen 1915-1949.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleFamilyMcMillanOwenLocalityAlbion ParkMacquarie PassPlaceBrewster's GarageRiver FarmRelated ItemEvelyn Owen 1915 - 1949Evelyn Owen and Len RadfordEvelyn Owen 1915-1949

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Owen, Evelyn