Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Lowery was born 1892 Tanfield, County Durham, one of 7 children, 4 boys, 2 girls and one deceased (gender unknown), born to coal miner overman, John Lowery 1861 Lamesely and his wife Catherine Redhead 1862 of Lanchester, County Durham, whom he married the 4th quarter of 1880 in the district of Chester-le-Street. Thomas at the age of 19 was employed as a coal hewer, in 1914 he married May Barrett in the district of Lanchester setting up home at 7 Wylam Terrace, Shields Row, Stanley, their daughter Constance V. Lowery was born in 1915.
Thomas Lowery enlisted September 1914 assigned as Private 25099 Durham Light Infantry and after undergoing training was drafted to France April 9th 1915 as part of the Territorial Force of the 21st Division, which without nursery training in the trenches was sent to the front line as reinforcements to the Ypres salient and Loos. In 1916 whilst Acting Corporal, Thomas was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for actions undertaken June 26th 1916.
25099 A/Cpl T. Lowery 15th Battalion“ For conspicuous gallantry. He was entrusted with wiring for 4 nights close to the enemy. Each night his little party was hampered by snipers’. On the fourth night he sent his party back and advancing alone bombed the sniper’s post, thus enabling himself to work another half hour, when he again went, with a corporal, and, after again bombing the enemy, completed his work.”
During his service he rose through the ranks, Corporal, Lance Sergeant and finally to 2nd Lieutenant. With the 15th Battalion attached to the 64th Brigade, 21 Division saw action during the Battles of the Somme at Albert, Bazentin Ridge, Flers-Coucelette, Morval and Transloy Ridge in 1916., the Arras Offensive 1917.
2nd Lieutenant Thomas Lowery Durham Light Infantry died August 3rd 1917, he was 25 years old. He is interred at Croisilles British Cemetery, grave I. B. 23, 13 kilometres from Arras, Pas de Calais, France.
The death of Thomas came as a second blow to the Lowery family, his father having died a few weeks before, July 17th 1917, at Gardenia Garden Terrace, Stanley, County Durham.
His widow May received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their child along with his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. May Lowery died August 16th 1964 leaving probate in the sum of £1365 pounds to drapery manager, John Radcliffe.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Lowery is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04 and at Stanley on S135.04
