I am writing to advise you that my father, Edward Claud Sowden, passed away on the 13th February 2022 aged 85 years after a short illness and it was his wish that I notify you of his death. My dad played for Wiltshire for many years and was part of the team that won the league in the 1970 as well as playing later for the County of Cornwall. He was the captain of the Pressed Steel team (later Rover) in Swindon who won the league in the 1970s and also played for Wiltshire Police. On retirement he continued with his love of chess, and turned to postal chess where he played many times for Great Britain. He won the UK Veterans championship twice and became an International Master.
The picture shows him playing across the board (he is on the right)
— Ken Sowden (his son)