Arthur "Waring" Bowen

Arthur Charles Mainwaring Bowen (24 March 1922 – 31 January 1980) was a Welsh solicitor who founded the charity "British Rheumatism & Arthritis Association" (now known as "Versus Arthritis").

Early life Born to an English mother and a Welsh father, Bowen spent his earliest years on his family's farm, Pentrebach in Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire.

He was educated at Gwendraeth Grammar School, and left with a higher school certificate. In 1940 he started studying history at University College, Aberystwyth. From there he was awarded a Welsh Church Scholarship to read history at Oxford University.

Other philanthropic activities From 1943 to 1945 Bowen campaigned for Further Education for disabled ex-service men and women. He initiated a number of smaller-scale organisations, including the "BRA Holiday Hotel scheme" (1956), the BRA Home South-West (1973), the National Disabled Youth Centre Trust (1975), the Torbay Arthritis Clinic (1970) and the Torbay Sheltered Workshop (1972). He was the chairman of the Torbay and District Disablement Advisory Committee (Dept. of Employment) 1969 - 1975. He was also a trustee of the Pinder Children's Trust and the Open University Medical Society (dates unknown).

Personal life Bowen was married to Helen Patricia Cope, an occupational therapist, on 29 August 1953. They had one daughter Philippa, and one son Jonathan born in 1962. He died on 31 January 1980.