Lowndes,+Sam

18th Battalion, (Prince of Wales's Own) West Yorkshire Regiment. [Bradford Pals] Regimental No: 18/713.
 * Private Sam Lowndes**



Brother of Charles Lowndes and Harry Lowndes

1888: Birth at Cartworth, Holmfirth. Registered in the third quarter at Huddersfield, West Riding. Son of Charles and Ellen Ann Lowndes. 1891: Census. Aged 2 years. Living at Brownhill, Cartworth, Holmfirth, with parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters. Father's occupation: Dyehouse labourer. 1901: Census. Aged 12 years. Living at 12, Becks Road, Keighley, with parents, 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Father's occupation: Stone quarryman. Sam's occupation: Worsted spinner. 1911: Census. Aged 22 years. Living at 9, Belle Vue Terrace, Keighley, with parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Father's occupation: Labourer, Iron foundry. Sam's occupation: Wringing machine painter. 1915: Enlisted in Keighley, possibly late April. First entered theatre (3) Egypt on 22nd December. Transferred to France in March 1916. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July, when the Bradford Pals Regiment was decimated in the attacks. Buried in Mesnil Communal Cemetery Extension. Plot II., Row A., Grave 7A., Mesnil-Martinsart, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France.

11th December 1916: £2 4s. 5d paid to Father, Charles Lowndes. 4th May 1920: £3 17s. 2d. paid to sister Lydia. 2nd June 1920: £0 12s. 10d. paid to sister Lydia. Total War Gratuity: £4 10s. 0d.
 * Gratuities paid to family:**

Awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his war service. He is remembered alongside his brother Charles, on the St Paul's Church WW1 Memorial Tablet, which is displayed on a wall at St Andrew's Church, (Keighley Shared Church). Both men are also remembered in Keighley's Great War Roll of Honour, in Keighley Library.

Information was passed back to the Imperial War Graves Commission by: Mr H. Lowndes, 6, Bethel Street, East Morton, Nr. Bingley. (probably his brother Harry Lowndes)

Private Sam Lowndes, of Feather Street, Parkwood, Keighley, has been killed. The sad news was received in a letter from the front.
 * Keighley News report 15th July 1916:**

The following letter has been received by Mr Lowndes, or 9, Feather Street, Parkwood, Keighley, informing him of the death of his son, Lance-Corporal S. Lowndes, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, which was brifely announced in last week's "Keighley News." The letter was sent by Second Lieutenant Stephens, who said, "Your son was killed in the battle of the Somme on the 1st of this month. He was in my platoon, and gave every satisfaction in his work. The platoon has lost a good soldier and a popular comrade." Lance-Corporal Lowndes enlisted about 15 months ago, and went out to Egypt, but was later drafted to France. Formerly he was employed by Messrs Summerscales Ltd, Coney lane, Keighley. (his picture was included in this issue)
 * Keighley News report 22nd July 1916:**

Lowndes, Sam, b. Holmfirth, Yorks, e. Keighley, Yorks, 18/713, L/Cpl., k. in a., F. & F. 1/7/16.
 * Bradford Pals list:**