John Robert Lowson born October 26th 1893 at Tudhoe Colliery, County Durham, was the illegitimate son of Mary Jane Lowson, native of Merrington, County Durham, born 1873. His mother married in 1895 to William Oxley born 1867 at Sunderland, County Durham and with whom she had 2 children, William Thompson and Martha Isabel born 1896 and July 10th 1900 respectively at Tudhoe, County Durham. John Robert did not live with his mother, step-father and half siblings, he was brought up by his grandparents John and Martha Lowson. His grandfather John and his uncle John William were both butchers by trade running a business for their own account from home at, 36, Attwood Terrace, Tudhoe. John Lowson died aged 66 years in 1910, his son John William continued to run the family business, John Robert (17) found employment with the Co-operative Store in the grocery department.

John Robert enlisted, May 22nd 1915 as Robert Lowson, assigned as Gunner to the 1st/1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He departed for the front via Southhampton, July 2nd 1916 arriving at Le Havre the following day attached to the 315th Brigade and joined the Royal Naval Division, July 5th 1916. The 315th Brigade served on the Somme, in France during 1916, Oppy Wood and Arras in France 1917, Battle of Messines Ridge in Belgium, 1917, German Offensive on the Somme, France, 1918 and the Hindenburg Line, France, 1918. He rose through the ranks to Bomber, Corporal April 29th 1917, Lance Corporal and finally Sergeant 252054 until his discharge. Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His half-brother William Thompson Oxley was killed in Belgium, October 4th 1917.

John Robert was married in the district of Easington in 1918 to Elsie Bradley born September 25th 1895 at Tudhoe Colliery, County Durham, with whom he had a daughter, Joan, April 14th 1920. In 1939 they were living at Pensbury House, Church Lane, Sedgefield. John Robert Lowson died aged 91 years in 1985, registered in the district of North Cleveland.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

He is not remembered on a local War Memorial.