Lily L. Lowes is the only woman’s name on the World War 1 memorial in the Parish Church at Chester le Street. It was on the memorial which was in the Market Place in 1925 and it is on the new memorial 2014/5.
But who was Lily? Over the last 17 years I have tried to find out more about her. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission site has no Lily L. Lowes, the census returns for 1881 1891 1901 and 1911 have no Lily L. Lowes living in the town. The Chester-le-Street Chronicle listing the names to be put on the memorial in 1921 gives 1918 as her death year.
Over the years I have returned to Lily put her name into Find my Past and Ancestry but with no success.
Last year I did find a birth of a baby in 1918 at Newcastle Lily L. Lowes with the mother being Liddell. I sent for the birth certificate but the mother was Florence. For some unknown reason I went on the CWGC site and entered Lily Liddell and bingo!
Nurse L. Liddell Voluntary Aid Detachment died 29th September 1918 and is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery.
1911 census Lily Liddell born Waldridge is living at 5 Eaton Terrace London and is a lady’s maid in the household of Georgiana Gage a 51 year old lady with private means.1901 census Lillie is living at the Grand Junction Inn Gilesgate with her parents Joshua (38 Innkeeper) and Sarah (38) Liddle. Lillie is 18 years old and a self employed dressmaker. Both Sarah and Lillie were born at WaldridgeI could not find her in the 1891 census and then discovered that Joshua and Sarah Wears were not married until 1894. So Lillie was probably Sarah’s daughter.
More searching on Ancestry finally brought up probate records for Lillie Liddell of Waldridge Fell died 1918 at Cairo on active service. Administration (with Will) 12 January 1919 to John Lowes, labourer. Effects £226 17s 7d.It took nearly 3 months for the copy of the will to arrive.“I Phyllis Wears known as Lily Liddell" reads the first line – so no wonder I could not find her in 1891 or a birth.Back to the computer.
Phyllis Wears was the daughter of Joseph Wears and Sarah Lowes and was baptised in Chester-le-Street Parish Church 12th May 1882. Joseph and Sarah had married at Durham shortly before. In 1891 Lily is living with South Burns with Robert and Margaret (nee Lowes) Nicholson. I could not find either Joseph or Sarah in the 1891 census.
Sarah Lowes was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Lowes and in 1871 the family were living at Red Row Waldridge. It was a large family Jane, Joseph, George, Sarah, Elizabeth, William and Margaret all living at home. John (the administrator of Lillie’s will) was born in 1872. William lost two of his sons in World War 1 and their names are inscribed on the Chester-le-Street War Memorials.
August 2015 the Red Cross VAD documents have been released. Lillie Liddell joined, aged 34, the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment on the 9th July 1917 as a Nurse. Her address is given as 28 Great Cumberland Place Westminster. She worked in Felixstowe Military hospital from that date until 22nd December 1917 and was then sent to Egypt. In August 1918 Lillie was awarded the Scarlet Efficiency Stripe. She died on service 8th October 1918. (CWGC says 29th September 1918)
In December 2012 Nurse L. Liddell’s British and Victory medals and her Memorial Plaque were sold at Dix Noonan Webb’s Auction at London. Estimated at £2000 the hammer went down at £9000. The Auction House forwarded my email to the successful bidder but I have heard no more. Where have her medals and plaques been for 90 years?
So it would seem from my latest research that Lily/Lillie/Phyllis Wears/Liddle/Liddell was never ever Lily L. Lowes whatever the War Memorial inscriptions in Chester-le-Street record!
Dorothy Hall Secretary NEWMP, Chair Chester-le-Street Heritage Group
