Grave of Missing World War 1 Company Serjeant Major Identified in Belgium

Image: Lt Yeatman presents the flag to Capt Lowe’s great nephew (Crown Copyright)

More than a century after his death, the previously unmarked grave of Company Serjeant Major (CSM) Harry Lowe (born in Derby) has finally been identified and marked.

The family of World War 1 soldier, Company Serjeant Major (CSM) Harry Lowe, gathered yesterday in Belgium for his rededication ceremony. CSM Harry Lowe of the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. His grave has now been formally recognised following extensive research and yesterday, his grave was rededicated accordingly. 
 
The service was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’, and held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Tyne Cot Cemetery, yesterday morning (11 June 25). 
 
MOD War Detective, Nicola Nash, said: 
“I am grateful to the researchers who originally submitted evidence suggesting the location of the grave of CSM Lowe. It was wonderful to see the descendants of CSM Lowe attend the service in the place of his parents and siblings, who were devastated when Harry was lost. We will remember them.” 

Image: The family of Capt Lowe with the standard bearers (Crown Copyright)

Company Serjeant Major Harry Lowe, 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry 

Harry Lowe was born on 18 August 1895 to John Lowe and Alice Slater at 53 Watson Street in Derby. Harry was one of seven children, of whom he was the youngest.  
 
Before enlisting, Harry was working as a valet to the Reverend Canon Leonard Francis Tyrwhitt at Rolleston Rectory. Reverend Canon Tyrwhitt was a canon of Windsor and went on to be a Chaplain to the Forces during the First World War. Harry wrote regularly to Reverend Canon Tyrwhitt to update him on his progress during the war. He joined the Durham Light Infantry in October 1914 and spent the rest of his war on the Western Front. 

Image: Capt Lowe’s graveside (Crown Copyright)

Harry lost his life during the Battle of Passchendaele, in action around Glencorse Wood. A comrade later noted that he bravely ‘fell with his face to the enemy’. His body was not recovered and following the war he was listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.  
 
In January 1921, the remains of an unknown British Company Serjeant Major were recovered close to Glencorse Wood. Artefacts with the remains meant that they were able to identify them as a Company Serjeant Major of the Durham Light Infantry, but further identification proved impossible, and the remains were reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, near Ypres.

Recently, research has revealed the unnamed Company Serjeant Major to be Company Serjeant Major Harry Lowe, and now his grave has been identified and marked. 
 
The headstone was replaced by CWGC and will be cared for in perpetuity.

Katie Palmer, Records Officer at the CWGC said:
"It was an honour to help ensure Company Serjeant Major Harry Lowe's final resting place is marked. The details of his military service are now engraved on his new headstone, to make sure his sacrifice is not forgotten nearly a century after his death."