William Lowe (British Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Lowe
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|---|---|
| Birth name | William Henry Muir Lowe |
| Born | 20 October 1861 North-Western Provinces, British India |
| Died | 7 February 1944 (aged 82) London, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1881–1907 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Unit | 7th Dragoon Guards |
| Commands held | 3rd Reserve Cavalry Brigade |
| Battles/wars | 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War Third Anglo-Burmese War Second Boer War First World War Easter Rising |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Mentioned in Despatches |
| Spouse(s) |
Frances Broster de Salvo
(m. 1895; |
| Children | 2 (including John Loder) |
William Henry Muir Lowe (born October 20, 1861 – died February 7, 1944) was a high-ranking officer in the British Army. He is best known for leading British troops in Dublin during the Easter Rising in 1916. He also accepted the surrender of the Irish rebel forces.
Contents
Early Military Life and Adventures
William Lowe was born in North-Western Provinces, which was part of British India at the time. His father, William Henry Lowe, worked for the Indian Civil Service. William went to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, a famous military school.
He became a lieutenant in the 7th Dragoon Guards in 1881. The very next year, he saw action in the Egyptian Campaign. His unit was part of a cavalry brigade.
Fighting in Egypt and Burma
Lowe fought in important battles like Kassassin and the Battle of Tel el-Kebir. He also marched with his troops to Cairo. For his service, he received the Egypt Medal and the Khedive's Star. This second medal was given by Khedive Tawfiq, the ruler of Egypt.
In 1886, Lowe went to Burma as a special officer. He helped during the guerrilla phase of the Third Anglo-Burmese War. He stayed in Burma until 1887 and earned the India General Service Medal. He was promoted to captain in 1887 and major in 1892.
Leading in the Second Boer War
In 1899, William Lowe became a lieutenant-colonel and took command of the 7th Dragoon Guards. His regiment traveled to South Africa for the Second Boer War.
Key Moments in South Africa
From 1900 to 1902, Lowe led his regiment in many battles. He was present when the British captured Pretoria. He also fought in the Battle of Diamond Hill. He was promoted to brevet colonel in November 1900.
Lord Kitchener, a famous general, praised Lowe's actions. He noted how Colonel Lowe successfully surprised a farmhouse. His troops captured 11 armed prisoners there. Lowe was mentioned in official reports twice more for his brave actions. He received the Queen's and King's South Africa Medal for his service. After the war ended in 1902, he returned home.
After the War
In 1903, Lowe left the 7th Dragoon Guards. He became an Assistant Quartermaster-General for the II Corps. He was promoted to full colonel. Later, he worked for the Northern Command, dealing with cavalry records. In 1906, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, a special honor. He retired from the army in 1908.
Role in the Easter Rising
When the First World War began in 1914, Lowe rejoined the army. He became an Inspector of Cavalry. In 1915, he was appointed a Brigadier-General and a Brigade Commander.
Commanding in Dublin
In April 1916, the Easter Rising began in Dublin, Ireland. Lowe was commanding the 3rd Reserve Cavalry Brigade at the Curragh Camp. When he heard about the Rising, he quickly sent his brigade to Dublin by train.
Lowe arrived in Dublin early on Tuesday morning. He took command of all British forces in the city. He worked to secure key areas like the railway station, Dublin Castle, and Trinity College. This helped divide the rebel positions.
He ordered the shelling of Liberty Hall, a building used by the rebels. He also ordered his troops to continue fighting at Mount Street Bridge. This led to many casualties for the Sherwood Foresters.
Accepting the Surrender
On Saturday, April 29, a nurse named Elizabeth O'Farrell approached Lowe. She wanted to negotiate a surrender. Lowe agreed, but only if the rebels would surrender completely, without any conditions.
At 2:30 PM that day, Patrick Pearse, one of the rebel leaders, surrendered to General Lowe. Nurse O'Farrell was also present.
Lowe was given the honorary rank of major-general when he finally retired from the army in March 1919.
Personal Life
William Lowe married Frances Broster Johnson in 1895. She was a widow with a daughter. Together, William and Frances had two children: a son named John (born 1898) and a daughter named Elizabeth (born 1900). Elizabeth later became a nun.
Their son, John, also became a British Army officer. He even took part in putting down the Easter Rising with his father. John later fought in major battles like Gallipoli and the Somme. After his military career, he became a Hollywood actor using the name John Loder.
General Lowe passed away in London on February 7, 1944, at the age of 82.
