Leonard Lowe, Age 21

Private, 21277, 1/4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

Leonard was born and still living in Dawley when he joined the local territorial Battalion the 1/4th KSLI.

During the first few days of the massive German Offensive in March 1918 the battalion had been forced back and on the morning of March 26th found themselves looking for billets in Hebuteme on the old Somme Battlefield. At 6.30 am General Jeffreys GOC 19th Division rode through the streets but at the eastern end of the town apparently turned around and galloped back, a party of Germans had been sighted, the remains of the Brigade (250 men) were fell in and bayonets fixed, they doubled towards the Germans who were seen advancing approx 800yds away.

Covered by the North Staffs and Cheshire’s the 1/4th KSLI who numbered around 50 men charged the Germans at bayonet point, driving the Germans away. Later that same morning (10.00am) the division was relieved by an Australian division and moved to Sailly-aux-bois.

Leonard fell in action on this day, 26th March 1918, one of the brave few who had managed to hold up the German advance, His body was recovered later and he lies buried in a shared grave in Grevillers British Cemetery in Grave XII.F. 12.

Pte Leonard Lowe’s grave in Grevilliers British Cemetery although badly weather worn his name is visible in the lower half of his shared grave, the soldier named above Pte (201316) Leonard Tew was from Market Drayton and died on the same day

Extra info:
Leonard was married with two children, his wife was Eunice Clemson she was born at Altofts, Yorkshire, in the 1911 census the family had moved and now was living at 19 Old Park, Dawley, Eunice’s mother is now a widow, Eunice married Leonard in 1913 and their first child Florence May was born later that year, their second child William Leonard was born in 1916, Leonard’s war pension was paid to Eunice and the two children who were still living in Old Park, by 1939 Eunice had remarried to Edward W Johnson and was living at 30, Wilmot Rd, Old Park.

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Commonwealth War Graves
Buried Grevillers British Cemetery

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Victory Medal	British War Medal