LOWRY, Leonard Ernest

Leonard Ernest Lowry was born in Hackney, London in March 1890 to William Henry and Caroline Lowry (nee Cahill). He was the youngest of 6 children, his father a cigar merchant. 1911 UK census records have Leonard living with his parents in Hackney. Shipping records note he left London for Australia in November 1911, aged 21 years.

Prior to enlisting with the AIF on 8 July, 1915, he had military experience in England wit the King Edward's Horses (2 years) and the RFA for 2 years. At the time of enlistment he was living in East Melbourne, occupation noted as manufacturer. His first 2 months before embarkation were spent with A Company at the Show Grounds in Melbourne. He embarked from Melbourne on the HMAT Wiltshire A18 on 18 November, 1915, arriving in Suez a month later where he joined the M.E.F. He served with the 4th Field Artillery Brigade, spending a short time with the 22nd Howitzer Brigade as a driver in Zeitoun, Egypt. On 18th March he the 4th Fiels Artillery Brigade disembarked from Alexandria for the Western Front, arriving in Marseille a week later. Upon arrival in Marselle the brigade travelled 800 kilometes by train to Le Havre where 18-pounder guns and vehicles were obtained before continuing to Armentieres near the Franch-Belgium border. In May the 19 Battery was replaced by the 104th Howitzer Battery to which Leonard was taken on strength in early July, 1916. A part of the Somme offensive, the 4th FAB was deployed south of Sausage Valley, near Poizieres, where it was involved in constant action against the Germans.  

Towards to end of August, 1916 Leonard became ill with suspected Typhoid. He was first admitted to the Casualty Clearing stattion near Boulogne. On 28th September her was shipped to England on the Hospital Ship St David, being admitted to the Croydon Hospital on 28 September. He was granted furlough during November, returning to Perham Downs to undertake administative work. Leonard remained in England and did not return to the Front. In November 1917 he commenced work at hte AIF Head Quarters in London where he was remained until 16 September. 1919 when he was granted 6 weeks leave with pay to further his manufacturing knowledge at A. Goldberg & Sons, Victoria Road, London. Leonard resided at the AIF War Chest Club (a 800 bed hostel for AIF  personnel) in Horseferry Road prior to his disembarkation on 18 December, 1919 on the 'Konigin Luise' which arrived in Sydney on 4 February 1920.

No information was located in terms of what Leonard embarked upon post-war. Sadly he died in 1921 aged 31 years, in the Ashfield area of Sydney.