While researching the Lowcock surname on Find a Grave, I came across Captain Reginald John Lowcock who was a pilot in World War I.
In honor of his memory and service, I am sharing the information I discovered.
Captain Reginald John Lowcock DSO MC
Birth: 28 August 1897, Liscard, Cheshire
Death: 22nd July 1918
Grave: Figheldean, Wiltshire Unitary Authority, Wiltshire, England (details)
Next of Kin: Possibly E. C. Lowcock and Mary V. Newbold (formerly Lowcock), of 11, Oak Hill Rd., Surbiton, Surrey
Rank: Captain, Major (Royal Air Force)
Service Number: unknown
Unit: Royal Air Force Artillery Co-operation Squadron, Secondary Regiment: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Conflict: World War I
Military Service
Details below, copied and pasted “as is” from several sources as noted in the footnotes.
Captain Reginald John Lowcock, a 52 Squadron R.E.8 pilot, was reported to have been wounded in the press on 28th July 1917. He had been in action on 20th July 1917 with five Albatros scouts.
Lowcock had been wounded previously on 26th April 1917, whilst flying a 9 Squadron B.E.2e, and had already earned the Military Cross for continuing to spot for the artillery after fighting off four aircraft the previous year.
He went on to earn a Distinguished Service Order before being killed in a flying accident at the Artillery Co-operation School near Bristol on 22nd July 1918. He is buried in Figheldean (St. Michael) Churchyard, Wiltshire.
“Captain R. J. LOWCOCK., M.C.
“Capt. R. J. Lowcock previously wounded in May this year [1917]. He joined the Sherwood Foresters in April, 1915, and received his company command in December, 1916. Joining the Flying Corps he gained the military medal [sic] for beating off an attack by four enemy machines and continuing his ranging. Later he flew under 1,000 feet in a zone full of our shells in order to silence hostile batteries.” [1]
“Lt. Reginald John Lowcock, Notts. & Derby. R. and R.F.C.
“For conspicuous gallantry in action. He beat off an attack by four enemy machines and continued his ranging. Later, he flew under 1,000 feet, in a zone full of our shells, in order to silence hostile batteries.” [2]
“Lt. (T./Capt.) Reginald John Lowcock, M.C., Notts. & Derby. R. and R.F.C.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in carrying out artillery observation with great skill and success, in spite of very unfavourable weather and strong hostile opposition. On one occasion, although attacked by five hostile machines, he carried on with his work until his machine was riddled with bullets and he was wounded in the leg. He then succeeded in landing in safety, having destroyed one of the hostile machines. He has also done some exceptionally fine contact patrol work.” [3]
An obituary was published in ‘Flight’ magazine:
“Maj. REGINALD JOHN LOWCOCK, D.S.O., M.C., Sherwood Foresters and R.A.F., who was accidentally killed on July 22nd, was 21 years of age. He left college when the war broke out, and went to Sandhurst. From there he was gazetted to the Notts, and Derby Regiment, and later to the R.F.C. After training for a pilot he went to France in June 1916, was gazetted Captain in December of the same year and was wounded in April 1917. He did some excellent work as an artillery co-operation pilot, and received the D.S.O. in July,
1917, also being mentioned in despatches. He was wounded a second time, and returned to England in September 1917, was decorated by the King on November 7th, 1917, and was gazetted Major in January 1918.” [4]
[1] ‘Nottingham Evening Post’, 28th July 1917.
[2] ‘London Gazette’, 8th December 1916.
[3] ‘London Gazette’, 8th January 1918.
[4] ‘Flight’, 22nd August 1918.
Family History
Son of E. C. Lowcock and Mary V. Newbold (formerly Lowcock), of 11, Oak Hill Rd., Surbiton, Surrey.
Service Records and Other Photos
Sources:
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.