Alfred Charles Matthew LOWTHER (1896-1932)

[Printer]

Hello,

I have recently discovered a second cousin, 2x removed, Alfred Charles Matthew Lowther (b 1896 Chertsey, Surrey) and who died (1932 Chertsey, Surrey), was awarded the Military Medal during the First World War. 33160 1st Bn  Essex Reg.,

I would like to know when the Military Medal was awarded, and in which battle. I have not been able to find any info from the London Gazette, without dates.

Alfred C.M. Lowther MM was buried in Chertsey Cemetery, Surrey, but it is not shown to be maintained by the CWGC.  I have a photo of the grave, which also contains his wife. Any information would be much appreciated. As he died at such a young age, might this have been from wounds? Thank you.

Printer

[cath151]

Hi
There is an obituary piece in the Surrey Advertiser 30th April 1932 about his death and mentions part of his military career.
It mentions that he was recommended for the MM but "modestly declined the honour".

Cathy

[cath151]

But then October 19th 1918...
Cathy

[cath151]

Just found a wonderful piece about him with photo Surrey Herald 20th March 1997
written by his son.

Cathy

[Printer]

Hello cath 151,

Thank you for your reply. That's interesting.

Is it possible to obtain a copy of the articles from the 1932 Surrey Advertiser, or the 1997 Surrey Herald please? I am very interested to read those and to also see a photo. If not, how would I go about obtaining copies? Thank you. Regards.

printer

[jim1]

Gazetted 11/3/1919.
The Medal Roll shows the MM awarded but crossed through.
Unfortunately the 1/Essex war diary makes no mention of awards given.

[cath151]

Hi
British newspaper archives https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results/1997-01-01/1997-12-31?basicsearch=military%20medal&somesearch=military%20medal&exactsearch=false&retrievecountrycounts=false&newspapertitle=surrey%20herald

If you register free I think you can get 3 free pages.
Also on Findmypast.
If you have any trouble accessing pm me.

Cathy

[Printer]

Hello jim1 & cath 151.

Thank you. I will have a look at British newspaper archives.

I am puzzled though, why the Military Medal was 'modestly declined' yet is shown on his grave. I mentioned CWGC in my original posting as they certainly maintain graves of those honoured by the King.

Printer

[JMB1943]

Printer,

Have you heard of "Lowther's Lambs"?

They were the 11th, 12th and I believe 13th Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment; they were raised by Col. Lowther (MP for Sussex), a total of around 3,000 men early in the war. They suffered very heavy casualties in a a stupid diversionary attack on July 1, 1916 at the beginning of the Battle of The Somme.

Your Alfred Lowther was possibly, very distantly related to the Lowther family; an on-line search will provide more info than I can.

Good Luck with your research,

LEST WE FORGET!