Sgt 22462 James Lowe (MID)

• Age: 25
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 30th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

James Lowe was born on 25th November 1892 in Birkenhead, Cheshire, the son of Joseph Lowe and his wife Margaret (nee Walsh). He was baptised at St Peter's Church, Liverpool on 13th December 1892.  

Prior to James' birth, on the 1891 Census, the family are living at 33 Rowland Street, Birkenhead. His father, Joseph, is a 31 year old butcher born in Liverpool, whilst his mother Margaret is 22 years of age and was also born in Liverpool. They have three children recorded on the Census;  Joseph aged 3 born in Liverpool, John aged  2 also born in Liverpool, and Lilian aged 12mths was born in Birkenhead.

His eldest brother Joseph jnr died in the December quarter of 1894.

The 1901 census finds the family living at 36 Rodney Street, Birkenhead. James is 8 years old and living with his parents and five siblings. His father, Joseph is now 41 and still a butcher, whilst his mother is 38 year of age. is siblings are recorded as; John H. Lowe aged 12, Lilian aged 10 , Mary aged 5, Herbert 4 b.Birkenhead, Robert aged 1. All children except John were born in Birkenhead.

James wrote a letter to the Editor of the Birkenhead and Cheshire Times, published 25th Feb 1910, proposing the formation of a Young Conservative Club in Birkenhead.

On the 1911 Census James is 18 years old, and a butcher, living with his parents and six siblings at 72 Cleveland Street, Birkenhead. His father, Joseph is a 51 year old butcher, whilst his mother Margaret is 48 year of age. they advise that they have been married for 24 years and have had 11 children of whom 8 are still alive. James' siblings living at the property are shown as; Lilian aged 20 and a shop assistant, Mary aged 15, Herbert a 14 year old chemist shop boy, Robert 11, William 9 and Ada 6 are at school.

His brother John Henry died aged 22 in the June quarter of 1911.

James enlisted in Liverpool on 05th November 1914 originally joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22462. He gave his age as 21 years 191 days,his place of birth is shown as Birkenhead, his occupation as a butcher. He was described as being 5' 10 and a half inches tall, weight 140 lbs, 37" chest, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religion is stated as Church of England.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

His service records show:

19th April 1915 - appointed paid L/Cpl

20th October 1915 - promoted Cpl

24th Apr 1916 - attached 89/1 Trench Mortar Battery 

25th Aug 1916 - appointed L/Sgt

24th Jan -03rd Feb 1917 - granted leave to UK

11th Jul 1917 - promoted Sgt

7th Nov 1917 - Special Mention in Haig's Despatch (Gazetted 18th Dec 1917)

Following the disbandment of the 20th Battalion in France in February 1918 James was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Sergeant 22462.

14th Mar 1918 - posted Sgt serving on establishment of 89th Trench Mortar Battery

30th Apr 1918 - Missing.

The authorities sourced evidence about Sgt Lowe's death from Pte Ted Singleton, 34 Radcliffe St, Liverpool, and L/Cpl Ross, Kelvin House, Mossgiel Ave, Ainsdale. They said he was killed by rifle bullet through the head at Dickebusch.

It was only on the 28th July 1919 that the authorities could inform the family that his death was presumed on 30th April 1918 whilst attached to the 89th Trench Mortar Battery.

The Battalion diary gives an insight into the events of the day:

VOORMEZEELE DEFENCES

30^th April 1918

The Battalion still holding G.H.Q.1 line. At various times during the day small parties of the enemy crept forward with Machine Guns and were engaged by Lewis Guns and rifle fire. Also concentrations of enemy were dispersed by artillery shoots directed from Battn H.Q.

James has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. 

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Soldiers Effects to father Joseph, Pension to mother Margaret, 211 Conway St, Birkenhead.

His mother died in the September quarter of 1926, aged 64.
 
His father Joseph died on 13th May 1933, his address at that time was 107 Patterson St, Birkenhead. Probate to  his son Herbert Lowe, a chauffeur.

We currently have no further information on James Lowe. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.