Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Lowery was born 1894 in Wrekenton, near Gateshead, County Durham and one of 10 children born to James Lowery of Shield Row and his wife Jane Lowery nee’ Hutchinson native of West Hartlepool. His father was a miner and by 1891 he and his wife were living with their new born son, William, at Boundary Houses, South Ward, Gateshead. James senior died in 1898, his wife and children were taken in by her widowed brother Robert Hutchinson and in 1901 were living at 47 Tundell Street, Ryhope. Jane Lowery remarried in Ryhope, August 3rd 1907 and along with her new husband, coal miner Joseph Hind, the family moved to 21 Front Street, Merrington, Ferry Hill.
James left his work as a miner to enlist along with his elder brother Charles, in Ferry Hill, May 18th 1915 and was assigned as Private 19180 to the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was mobilised May 20th 1915 and transferred to the 3rd Battalion, a training unit it remained in the United Kingdom for duty as the Humber Garrison. August 28th 1915 he was transferred to the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 64th Brigade, 21st Division and posted to France December 20th disembarking December 21st 1915. During 1916 the 1st Battalion took part in many of the Battles of the Somme including Battles of Albert 1st-13th July, Bazentin Ridge 16th-17th July and Battle of Delville Wood 15th July- September 3rd 1916. September 15th was the beginning of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette which lasted one week. Private 19180 James Lowery was killed in action on the second day September 16th 1916. James has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, pier and face 2C. He was 22 years old and unmarried. His sole benefactor was his mother Jane who received all monies owed to him and his awards of the 14-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
James’s younger brother Charles Septimus Lowery also perished in the Great War. His step-father Joseph Hind who worked as a putter at the colliery was conscripted June 26th 1915 at the age of 44. He had previously served in the Northumberland Fusiliers 1st Battalion Volunteer Reserves but was enlisted in the Army Service Corp as Private 124275. He was in Aldershot until September 17th 1915 then sent to France where he served until July 17th 1917. Sent back to England he was officially discharged November 14th 1917 under King’s Regulations 392 xvi, no longer fit for war. Joseph Hind was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Carol Hird has submitted the photo taken from the Northern Echo 8/11/1915.
James is remembered at Chilton C107.01, C107.04 and C107.12 and at Kirk Merrington on K26.01
