Albert Victor Lowe

Albert Victor was the eldest son of Albert and Elizabeth Lily (or Lillian) Lowe (née Mitchell). His father Albert was born in Nottingham in 1874 and baptised at Nottingham St Andrew on 24 January 1875. He was the eldest son of Walter Lowe and his second wife Charlotte Parks Archer whom he had married in 1870 (J/F/M). They had at least seven children: Mary Ann PA who was born in 1868 before their marriage and died in 1894; Elizabeth b. 1872, Albert Edward b. 1874, John b. 1878, Frank Thomas b. 1880, Ernest (probably Ernest Walter) b. 1883 and Harry b. 1885. Walter had married first Mary Ann Whitehead (d. 1866) by whom he had at least five children who survived infancy and who in 1881 were still living in the family home at 29 Marple Street, Nottingham, with their half-siblings Mary, Elizabeth, Albert, John and Frank. Albert Edward has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census although his six siblings were still living with their parents in Nottingham. Walter died in 1907 and in 1911 his widow Charlotte was living at 2 Swanwick Street, Nottingham, with her married son John, his wife and daughter, and her son unmarried son Harry. Charlotte died in June 1921. Albert Victor's mother, Elizabeth Mitchell, was born in Ratcliffe on Soar on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border in 1873, the daughter of Alonza and Martha Mitchell, and was baptised at the parish church of Holy Trinity on 8 June 1873. Albert Edward and Elizabeth were married at Nottingham Emmanuel church on 29 December 1895 and had four children who were all born in Nottingham: Albert Victor birth registered 1896 (J/F/M) bap. Emmanuel church 22 November 1896; John Henry b. 1899 and twins Anna Elizabeth and Ada Charlotte b. 1905. At the time of Albert's baptism in November 1896 his parents were living at 70 Peas Hill Road, St Anns, but by 1901 were at 4 Cloister Square, Nottingham, in the ecclesiastical parish of Holy Trinity, with their two sons Albert (5) and John (1). Albert (26) was a cycle fitter up. By 1911 Albert, now a prepayment collector for Nottingham Corporation Gas Department, and his wife were living at 13 Broadholme, Nottingham, with their two sons and twin daughters Anna and Ada. Albert snr. died the following year on 21 September 1912 aged 37 and his funeral was held at Nottingham General Cemetery on 26 September. Elizabeth died in 1918 (O/N/D Nottingham). Payments by the War Office were made initially to Albert's mother but then to his guardian, Gertrude H Lowe, whose relationship to Albert has not yet been identified.

2/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment Albert Victor died of wounds on 9 December 1917 and was buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen (grave ref. P.V.M.6B). CWGC - St Sever Cemetery Extension (extract): 'During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.'

CWGC - A. Lowe. No family details given. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 23 September 1912: ‘Lowe. On the 21st inst., Albert Edward Lowe, aged 37 years, late secretary of Lenton Priory Football Club, Interment General Cemetery, Derby-road, Thursday September 26th, 3 o’clock.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’ 24 September 1912: ‘Lowe. On the 21st inst., at 7.Broadholme-street, Albert Edward Lowe, late Gas Dept. eldest son of Mrs [Charlotte] Lowe of 2, Swanwick-street in his 38th year, Interment General Cemetery, Thursday, top end. 3 o’clock.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 26 September 1912: ‘Local Football Official’s Funeral. The Rev. EA Simms at the Nottingham General Cemetery this afternoon conducted the service at the funeral of Mr Albert E Lowe, aged 37m, of 7, Broadholme-street, Lenton, who died on Saturday. Mr Lowe was prominently connected with Nottinghamshire football, and representatives were present from the Notts. Football Association, the Notts. Amateur League, Lenton Priory FC, Castle Ward Association, and Castle Ward Club. Wreaths were sent from the Notts FA, Castle Ward Club, and the Nottingham Corporation Gas Department, where the deceased had worked.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 December 1918: ‘In loving memory of Signaller Albert Lowe eldest son of the late AE Lowe (Notts Football Association) and Elizabeth, who died of wounds December 9th, 1917. Twin sisters Annie, Ada, grandma [Charlotte Lowe], uncles [Lowe] Frank, Harry, Ernest and Jack [John].' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: initial payment 26 June 1918 made to mother, Elizabeth Lowe, sole legatee. Subsequent two payments in 1920 made to guardian, Gertrude H Lowe.