While researching my family history I discovered Gunner Harold Lowcock MBE.
In honor of his memory and service, I am sharing the information I discovered. If you’re a relative and have information you can share, please reach out.
Birth: ~1896 Rutland
Married: ~1922
Death: May 1, 1977
Grave: Unknown
Next of Kin: Post War, Potentially Mary Hilda Swires (married post war) and 1 daughter.
Rank: Seargant/Gunner
Service Number: 72968
Unit(s):
Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery (RFA)
Conflict: World War I, France
Harold entered France 26 June, 1915.
Medals / Recognition:
- Military Medal (Awarded 29 August, 1918)
- 1914-15 Star
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
Harold Lowcock was wounded August 1918, entitling him to wear the Wound Stripe, a badge authorized for soldiers injured in action. Gallantry Medal Military Medal (MM), announced in the London Gazette on 29 August 1918.
Harold Lowcock’s medal card can be found at the National Archives.
Personal Life
Harold Lowcock survived the war. In later life he was awarded the MBE for services to local government in Ripon and Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire. An obituary for Harold Lowcock (in the Ripon Gazette, pp8 Friday 13 May 1977) goes into a great detail about his life stating that he was a master tailor by trade and served the local government for over 40 years as a local councilor and alderman. By all acounts, was a very humble man, he made an incredible contributions to his community and he was well loved. Harold Lowcock received the MBE in June 12, 1971 for services to local government in Ripon and Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire. His obituary also mentions his service in the 1914-18 war with the Royal Field Artillery for which he received the Military Medal (MM) and that he was also mentioned in despatches (MID). He was a member of the Vale of Nidd Masonic Lodge.
The Pateley Bridge and Bewerley Memorial Hall to honor World War 1 veterans was suggested by Harold Lowcock, who became a founder committee member.
Sources:
- The Manchester Regiment Forum
- Imperal War Museum UK
- Pateley Bridge and Bewerley Memorial Hall
- National Archives (UK)
- The Gazette (UK Government Gazette)
Lowcock Family History
If you would like to learn more about the Lowcock surname and family history, please visit the Lowcock History page.
You can learn more about Lowcock Genealogy, or specific Lowcock family member:
- Lowcock Plough: a type of turnwrest plough, invented by Henry Lowcock
- Lowcock’s Lemonade: a soft drink brand
- Lowcock Mill: a hydro-electric mill located in Linton, Yorkshire
- Lowcock Fuel Economiser: for fuel efficiency in steam engines
- Lowcock Razor: a straight razor, made by George Lowcock
- Lowcock Dairy: a Dairy located in Pendleton, UK.
- Lowcock Freemason: Bro. H. Lowcock, a Freemason
- Lowcock Hong Kong: Henry Lowcock, Sydney James Lowcock and the Lowcock name in Hong Kong
- Arthur Lowcock and Blackpool Tower: a director of the company that built Blackpool Tower
- Bill Lowcock: an Australian World War II veteran, I self-published his story to preserve it for future generations.
- CF Lowcock (Charles Frederick): A British painter from the Victorian/Edwardian era
- Joyce Lowcock: A playwright
- Lowcock War Memorial: pages dedicated to all those with the Lowcock surname who served.
If you are researching Lowcock Family History and can help – visit the help needed page. If you want to understand the distribution of the Lowcock surname in the UK, visit the Lowcock map page. Just interested in the images and photos? Visit the Lowcock Genealogy Pinterest page.
This page is maintained by Joshua Lowcock.