Willie first  appeared on a census in 1901. He was at the home of his grandparents at Hawarden Terrace, Shotton, Cheshire. William Lowe 56 was a Signal Fitter who had been born in Belper, Derbyshire. His wife Alice was 64. Their daughter Susan was single, 27 and a dressmaker. Young Willie Lowe, a Grandson was 4 and had been born in Guide Bridge, Lancashire.

In the 1911 census Alice and Susan were living with Willie at Bridge Street Shotton, Flintshire.  Alice, 73 was a widow and Susan 38, was still single and still a dressmaker. Young Willie was 14 and a Clerk.

UK soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 -19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental information above but states that Willie was born and enlisted in Shotton.  It also tells us he died of Wounds.

There is no Flintshire WW1 Index Card for William, neither “Fallen” nor “Living” to assist in telling his story.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 about William Lowe does not tell us where his first Theatre of War was nor when he entered it.

William Lowe in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his mother Susan who was paid £7. 0s 5d on the 3rd April 1918 and his War Gratuity of £6. 10s 0d on the 15th November 1919.

Willie was named on 2 other memorials – the Hawarden War Memorial and possibly  the memorial screen at St Ethelwold’s Church. Somebody made an effort to ensure he was remembered.

In the County Herald dated 21st December 1917 a List of Casualties was published among the men who were named as having Died of Wounds –  Royal Field Artillery – Lowe (looked like Lorne in the newspaper) – 136544 – Gunr. W. (Shotton)