Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917
Tyne Cot Memorial
Tyne Cot Memorial: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Christopher James Lowrey, known as James, was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1883, one of 3 children of whom only 2 survived he was the youngest of 2 sons. His father Christopher John A. Lowrey born 1843 married in 1882 to widow Margaret Charlton nee Finch born 1838, both were natives of Sunderland. Margaret had 4 children from her previous marriage, Thomas (21) an engine fitter, Samuel (14) a grocer’s assistant, Jane (10) and John (8) both scholars. Prior to her marriage she was living at 3, Wellington Street, Felling. She and Christopher remained there, however in the census of 1891 Margaret is erroneously listed as Margaret Charlton, head of the household, still married and supported by Samuel (24), employed as a grocer’s assistant, John (19) coal miner, James Lowrey (8) and brother Septimus (9) were scholars, the whereabout of Christopher are unknown. By 1911 Christopher (68) now a retired coal miner, Margaret and her son John Charlton employed as a weight-man above ground at the colliery, are together at 5, Thomas Street, Felling,
On the outbreak of war James was enlisted in the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, a Territorial Force, as Private 5/440. Although the main body of the battalion departed to France in April 1915 James was not amongst them, he did not depart until January 1916 after being transferred as Private 36899, joining “Y” Coy 1st Battalion (Regular Army) Northumberland Fusiliers in the field attached to the 9th Brigade, 3rd Army after their withdrawal from Belgium en route south to the Somme. They participated at the opening battle at Albert July1st-13th which resulted in the Allied capture of Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La Boisselle, the Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th helping to capture Longueval, the Battle of Delville Wood July 15th-September 3rd and after a period in reserve they were again in the front line during the Battle of Ancre October 1st-18th 1916. In 1917 they saw action at Arras during the Battle of the Scarpe and at Arleux before moving north back to Flanders were they went into action during the Battle of Menin Road September 20th-26th and the Battle of Polygon Wood September 26th-27th 1917, phases of the Third Battle of Ypres.
Private 36899 (Christopher) James Lowrey was killed in action, September 24th 1917 during the Battle of Menin Road. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the names inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, panel 19-23 which forms the boundary wall at Tyne Cot cemetery, Zonnebeke, near Ypres, Belgium, commemorating the 35,000 servicemen from Britain and New Zealand who died on the Ypres salient, after August 15th 1917 to November 1918, who have no known grave. He was 35 years old and single.
His mother Margaret received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 5, Thomas Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. The loss of her son added to her grief as husband Christopher John A Lowrey had died 12 months earlier during September 1916, aged 73 years.
James’s brother Septimus Lowrey also served during the Great War.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917 carries an In Memoriam notice which reads:
“Private James Lowery (sic), N.F., killed in action, Sept. 24th, aged 34 years. Son of Margaret and the late Christopher Lowery, 5 Thomas Street, Felling.”
James Lowrey is remembered as James Lowery in Felling on F32.06
