Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

The unique Boer War C.S.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander E. Lowe, Royal Navy,thrice mentioned in despatches for his services as a ‘Gunner R.N.’ in the Naval Brigade, Lowe particularly distinguished himself the battle of Graspan, near Belmont, on 25 November 1900, when ‘he charged to the top of a hill, gallantly leading his men, all the time under a heavy fire’

Conspicuous Service Cross, E.VII.R., the reverse hall marked London 1901; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 8 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, Relief of Kimberley (Gunner E. E. Lowe: R.N. H.M.S. Monarch) small erasure or correction to colon after surname; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. E. E. Lowe, D.S.C., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut. E. E. Lowe. R.N.); Coronation 1911; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (E. E. Lowe, P.O. 1st Cl., H.M.S. Severn) good very fine (7) £20,000-£24,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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Collection

Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.

The Conspicuous Service Cross was instituted in 1901 and converted to the Distinguished Service Cross in 1914. During its short life, only eight awards of the C.S.C. were made: five for South Africa, two for China 1900 and one for Somaliland in 1904; Lowe’s C.S.C. is only the third provenanced example to have appeared at auction.

Lowe was one of only two Royal Navy officers to receive the Q.S.A. medal with 8 clasps.

C.S.C. London Gazette 2 July 1901.

Ernest Lowe was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk on 12 October 1866 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1882.

His subsequent seagoing appointments included H.M.S. Canada on the North America and West Indies stations in the early 1880s, when he served as ‘hammock man’ to the Duke of York, afterwards King George V. When King Edward VII was pinning the C.S.C. to Lowe’s tunic at St. James’s Palace many years later, the Duke, who had a wonderful memory, turned to King Edward and said, “This is the fellow who used to throw me out of my hammock in the Canada.”

Lowe also attended extended courses at the shore establishments Excellent and Vernon, scoring highly for torpedo gunner, and was duly appointed to the warrant rank of Acting Gunner in April 1897. Then in May 1898, he joined the Monarch at Simonstown and he was likewise employed at the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa in October 1899. Among those selected for services ashore in the Naval Brigade, he was given charge of a 12-pounder and joined the Lord Methuen’s column for the relief of Kimberley. The Naval Warrant Officers Journal (January, 1951) takes up the story:

‘Mr. Lowe was present with this column at the battles of Belmont, Graspan (where he was mentioned in despatches), Modder River and Magersfontein. After a stay of some weeks at Modder River, the Brigade joined Lord Robert’s column and was present at the following operations: capture of Jacobsdal; engagements at Klip Drift; Paardeburg (capture of Cronje’s force); Osfontein; Driefontein; occupation (after several forced marches) of Bloemfontein. After staying a while at the capital of Orange River Colony, they advanced north and took part in the actions of Vet River, Land River, occupied Kroonstad, passage of Vaal River, action and capture of Johannesburg and Pretoria (mentioned in despatches), action at Diamond Hill, occupation of Middleburg and action at Belfast (Bergendale). After that the Brigade joined General Gordon’s column and was present at the Tafel Kop and occupation of Barberton, returning to Capetown on 12 October 1900.’

In fact, Lowe was mentioned in despatches on three occasions:

Lord Methuen’s despatch dated 25 November 1899, for the battle of Graspan: ‘Gunner Lowe and Midshipman W. W. Silem charged to the top of a hill, gallantly leading their men all the time under a heavy fire and are deserving of special mention.’

Captain Bearcroft’s despatch to Rear-Admiral Sir R. Harris, dated at Pretoria on 9 June 1900, reporting on the engagement of 4 June 1900: ‘Mr. Lowe, Gunner (T.) Monarch, for zeal and energy shown in keeping up an adequate supply of ammunition near the guns and looking after the safety of the remainder.’

And Captain Bearcroft’s despatch to Rear-Admiral Sir R. Harris, dated at Simonstown on 17 October 1900: ‘Mr. Lowe, Gunner (T.), this officer has performed the duty of Quartermaster to the Brigade while landed with ability and untiring zeal and energy.’

Graspan was surely the hottest of his engagements, for on what became a unique occasion, the Naval Brigade advanced as infantry, arriving opposite the Boer positions after a night march at 7 a.m. The Boers had burnt all the grass for 2,000 yards in front to allow them to pick up our khaki, in addition to marking ant hills to give the range. Lowe and his comrades duly set off under a blazing sun, advancing by 25-yard rushes, each half company passing the other half company. As the range closed to 600 or 700 yards, the Boer fire got much hotter, and the casualties began to mount. Captain Darwin, R.N., the Brigade’s senior officer, was severely wounded and Commander Ethelston killed. The Midshipman attached to Lowe’s company was also killed, as was Major Plumb of the Marines. Notwithstanding the loss of such senior officers, Lowe and his Tars charged to the top of the hill, under heavy fire, and managed to dislodge the enemy, who retreated to their horses on the other side. He then teamed up with Captain Marchment of the Marines and helped to drive off a small force of Boers on another hill nearby.

Lowe, who returned home in December 1900, was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross and also became one of just two Naval Officers to receive an 8-clasp Queen’s South Africa medal. He was also recommended for special advancement to Chief Gunner on attaining 12 years seniority, a promotion that was confirmed in April 1910. In the interim, in 1902, he added the Coronation Medal to his accolades, most likely for ceremonial duties in connection with the participating Naval Detachment.

Having then been advanced to Lieutenant in June 1912, Lowe was appointed to the command of Torpedo Boat 116 in December 1914, and he remained similarly employed for the duration of the Great War. He was mentioned in despatches ‘for good services in Destroyer Patrol Flotillas during the period ended 30 September 1916’ (London Gazette 23 May 1917, refers), an accolade that probably stemmed from his action in defending an important convoy from Canada in October 1915. Spotting an enemy submarine off Culver Cliff in the Isle of Wight, he steamed for her at full speed, firing on her and only missing ramming her by a few seconds.

Lowe was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander in June 1920 and finally hung up his sea boots in October 1921, after 39 years of continuous service. He retired to Grayshott in Surrey, near Hindhead, where he won the Village Billiards Championship in 1945, aged 79. He died in October 1954.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.