Bowen was born in Heswall, Wirral in Cheshire, adopted by Joe and Annie Whittaker of Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire[REF](who changed his name to James Whittaker)[REF] and educated at Accrington Grammar School in Lancashire and Chester Diocesan Training College.
In 1959, Bowen married his work colleague, Phyllis, who was also a P.E.