ERNEST VICTOR LOWES 1892-1915

13924 Private Ernest Victor Lowes, 3^rd Battalion, the Dorsetshire Regiment died 12 June 1915 and is buried in Lynesack (St. John) Cemetery. [1] He was 22 years old and is commemorated on the Copley and Woodland War Memorials and the memorial plaque in St. John the Evangelist Church, Lynesack.

Family Details

Ernest Victor Lowes was born 1892[2] at Copley the son of John and Alice Lowes.[3]  There were at least 4 children:[4]

• James Bertram bc.1890 in Virginia, USA
• Alice Ruth bc.1892 in the Parish of Lynesack and Softley
• Ernest Victor born 1892 at Copley
• John Wilfred Lowes bc.1896 in the Parish of Lynesack and Softley

In 1901 the family lived at Copley Lane and John worked as a “country blacksmith-own account.”  John and Alice were born at Holwick and Hunderthwaite[5] respectively which are hamlets on the Yorkshire side of Teesdale.  By 1911, the family are recorded as living at Copley.  John was a farmer and his sons were all coal miners, 21 year old James was employed as a driver, 18 year old Ernest was a putter and 15 year old John was a driver.  Alice worked as a dairy maid. [6]

Service Details

Ernest Victor Lowes enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne and previously served in the Hussars of the Line being allocated the regimental number 14300.  In 1914 there were 12 Hussar regiments:[7]

• 3^rd (King’s Own)
• 4^th (Queen’s Own)
• 7^th (Queen’s Own)
• 8^th (King’s Royal Irish)
• 10^th (Prince of Wales’s Own Royal)
• 11^th (Prince Albert’s Own)
• 13^th Hussars
• 14^th (King’s)
• 18^th (Queen Mary’s Own)
• 19^th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal)
• 20^th Hussars

At some time later, he joined the 3^rd Battalion, the Dorsetshire Regiment being given the regimental number 13924.[8]  The 3/Dorsetshires was a Reserve battalion which remained in the UK throughout the war.  On mobilisation it moved to Weymouth and in June 1915 went to Wyke Regis for a role with the Portland garrison. [9]

Press Report County Chronicle 24 June 1915

“Drowning Tragedy

Much sympathy was extended to Mr. and Mrs. John Lowes and family of Copley in their bereavement through the tragic accident of their son, Ernest who was accidentally drowned whilst bathing at Weymouth, Dorsetshire.  Deceased, who was only 22 years of age enlisted in Kitchener’s army at the outbreak of war and was in training at Weymouth when the accident happened.

Deceased body was conveyed home for burial and the funeral took place on Wednesday week at St. John’s Church, Lynesack.

A large procession of relatives and general public was formed at the deceased’s residence at Lynesack Farm.  A party of soldiers from the Barnard Castle Camp, together with a troop of Lynesack Boy Scouts, headed the procession.  The remains were met at the church gate by the Rev. D.W. Marsh who conducted them into the church which was packed to the utmost and a large number were unable to gain admission.  A very impressive service was conducted by the vicar who also performed the last rites at the graveside, after which full military honours were accorded.  The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and several beautiful globes were placed upon the grave, one being from his comrades at Weymouth and another from members of the Literary Institute at Copley, where the deceased was a member.”  

Burial

13924 Private Ernest Victor Lowes, 3^rd Battalion, the Dorsetshire Regiment is buried in Lynesack (St. John) Cemetery. [10]

Private E.V. Lowes died 12 June 1915 and was buried 16 June 1916 at Lynesack Cemetery, the funeral being conducted by Rev. D. Marsh.[11]

 References:

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] England & Wales Birth Index Vo.10a p.241 Auckland 1892 Q4

[3] CWGC

[4] 1901 & 1911 census

[5] 1901 census

[6] 1911 census

[7] http://www.1914-1918.net/hussars.htm

[8] Soldiers Died in the Great War

[9] http://www.1914-1918.net/dorsets.htm

[10] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[11] Lynesack Church Register Note: age given as 21 years

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