Owen Howell was born and raised in southern Wales. Owen signed on to the RAMC in September of 1914, in the early days of the war. Owen joined the RAMC as he has weak lung capacity and is frequently short of breath, and due to this failed medical examinations for other branches. Before joining the RAMC, he worked in a coal mine owned by the wealthy Longwood family. Owen has two brothers and a sister; one brother is in the Navy and the other is in the Army. Owen is married to a woman named Cerys, who he grew up alongside. Cerys is currently expecting their first child.

Owen is eager and friendly, and has developed a strong interest in medicine and medical care while serving as a member of the RAMC. While he tries not to think into the future, he wonders how he might be able to continue this sort of work after the war ends.