A First War Pair To Sergeant John Robert Lowder; Canadian Ordnance Corps

Canada; British War Medal (602056 SJT. J.R. LOWDER. C.O.C.); and and Victory Medal (602056 SJT. J.R. LOWDER. C.O.C.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, replacement ribbons, edge nicks on the BWM, spotting on the VM, contact marks on both, better than fine. Accompanied by seventeen pages with copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records and Discharge Papers.

Footnote: John Robert Lowder was born on December 15, 1885 in London, England. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (602056) with the 34th Infantry Battalion, on January 22, 1915 in Galt, Ontario (now part of Cambridge), at the age of 29, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Margaret Lowler of Galt, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Married and that his trade was that of Valet. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Guelph, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The Battalion sailed October 23, 1915 with a strength of 41 officers and 1,102 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A.J. Oliver. Upon arrival in England, he was attached to Headquarters at Sandling, later appointed Staff Sergeant and employed as a Clerk at Bramshott on November 9, 1915, then appointed Acting Sergeant on November 30th. Lowder was transferred from the 34th Infantry Battalion to Headquarters S.S. on May 17, 1916 and achieved the rank of Sergeant on November 6, 1916. He re-injured his leg, the original injury occurring ten years previous. He was struck off strength of the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre to the Canadian Army Training Depot on January 8, 1917, and posted to Bramshott Camp, Hants on January 9th. In his Examination by Standing Medical Board report, dated January 9, 1917 at Bramshott, the physician noted that Lowder"Has (a) scar 2 in. x 1 in. on his leg which prevents his wearing puttees as it becomes painful. Had his leg injured ten years ago. Heart action rapid & irregular." Due to his condition, it was recommended that he was "Fit for Permanent Base Duty" only. He was posted to No. 2 Canadian Ordnance Corps at Liphook, East Hampshire on May 29, 1917, then transferred to No. 1 Canadian Ordnance Corps at Ashford, Kent on September 29th. Three weeks after his posting to Ashford, he proceeded overseas to the French theatre, arriving in France on October 21, 1917. Upon arrival, he was posted to the 1st Canadian Division Headquarters, still employed as Clerk. Thirteen and a half months after arriving in France, Lowder was reduced to the rank of Private due to "inefficiency", on December 6, 1918. With hostilities now having ceased, he was transferred to the C.C.T.M.T. Company on December 24, 1918, where he was employed as a Storeman. He was posted to the General Depot at Seaford on May 20, 1919, then was struck off strength to "O" Wing at the Canadian Concentration Camp at Witley on May 25, 1919, then posted to "P" Wing on May 29th and regained his rank of Sergeant. Lowder was struck off strength of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada on proceeding to Canada, on June 23, 1919 and embarked for Canada aboard HMT Caronia on June 25th. Sergeant John Robert Lowder, Canadian Ordnance Corps was discharged upon demobilization at Dispersal Station "K", District Depot No. 1 in London, Ontario, on July 4, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 263538. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.