109459 L/Cpl. Edwin Wright Lowrey
Maple Copse Cemetery
Zillebeke
Near Ieper
Belgium
Born in St. David's, Ontario, in 1893, Edwin signed on in Toronto in November 1914.
A grocer by trade, Edwin had 3 years previous military experience with the 2nd Dragoons, when he attested as part of the 4th CMR's original intake, on November 28th, 1914.
At the time of Edwin's loss, on May 11th, 1916, the 4th CMR was in the front line in the Sanctuary Wood and Zillebeke Dugouts area, when, in the early hours of the 11th, heavy and sustained enemy shelling fell upon the front line, communication and support trenches, leaving several men dead from 'A', 'B' and 'C' Companies.
It was reported that around 3am on the 11th, Edwin was very badly wounded in the arm, side and legs by a shell exploding in the trench. He remained conscious whilst being evacuated to No.9 Canadian Field Ambulance, then lost consciousness 15 or so minutes before he passed away, some 90 minutes after he was wounded.
Pte. Edwin Lowrey, aged 21, is one of 12 men of the 4th CMR known to lie at rest at rest in the small and peaceful Maple Copse Cemetery, near Sanctuary Wood, Ieper.
Please click on the headstone image for a larger version of the picture.
Biography excerpt courtesy of David Kavanagh, headstone image courtesy of 4cmr.com