Pte 69790 Alfred Tankersley Lowe

• Age: 23
• From: Toxteth Liverpool
• Regiment: R.D.C. 19th Btn
• Died on Tuesday 24th June 1919
• Commemorated at: Much Woolton
  Panel Ref: 4.6

Alfred Tankersley was born on the 02nd March 1897 to Ernest Edward and Mary Louisa Lowe (nee Ashton). He was baptised on 08th September 1897. He had two brothers Louis Ernest born 1895 and Edward Joseph born 1900.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 27 Sandfield Road, Gateacre, Liverpool. 

Alfred enlisted in Liverpool on 11/11/1914 joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 21754. 
His enlistment papers show that gave his age as 19 which is obviously not true and is another example of young men deliberately lying about their age in order to volunteer. He is shown as being 5ft 4 and a quarter weighing 119lbs and described as of fresh complexion with brown hair and brown eyes. 

He went overseas with his Battalion to France on 07/11/1915. He was wounded at Guillemont on 30/07/1916 and returned to the UK. He was sent home suffering from loss of memory following Shell Shock. He was initially treated at Ballymore Hospital in Belfast. He was subsequently transferred to the 3rd Depot Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment in August 1916 before transferring to the Royal Defence Corps as Private 69790.

Following further periods of hospitilisation from September 1917, Alfred was permanently discharged from the Army on 30/01/1918. The reports of his discharge show that he was suffering from Shell Shock, Trachycardia and Cardia Dilation. (Trachycardia is a condition where the heart rate exceeds the normal resting rate. Cardia dilation is a disease of the heart muscle.) His discharge papers show him to be of good character, well educated and stated that he saw action in France and was wounded. 

Alfred died on 24th June 1919 from sickness following wounds.

He now rests at Much Woolton Cemetery. 

There are 8 First and Second World War burials in the Cemetery.

Grateful thanks are extended to Linda Woodfini Michelini for biographical details of Alfred.

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