Honouring memory of relatives is heartening

MY GRANDFATHER’S first cousin, Lawrence Gladstone Lowth, the son of Thomas Lowth ( the owner of the Lowth Hotel), was killed in action on September 1, 1918, in the Second Battle of the Somme.

Lawrence was killed in the final major battle of World War I on the farm fields of Clery, Somme, Picardie in France.

After initially surviving a mustard gas attack earlier that year, Lawrence returned to the battlefield only to be killed by a shell fragment one day after being promoted to Company Sergeant Major, 41st Battalion of the Australian Imperial Forces.

The Australian forces crossed the Somme river the night before ( August 31, 1918) and broke the German lines. The British commander, General Henry Rawlinson, described this as the greatest military achievement of the war.

Growing up, I would often hear my grandfather, Eugene Joseph Lowth, reminisce of his childhood in Townsville and his dear cousin, and friend, Lawrence.

Listening to his stories evoked my lifelong interest in his homeland and I finally visited Townsville last year for my 60th birthday. I am truly heartened by how your town has honoured the memory of my relatives. My thanks to my cousin, Bruce Lowth ( Royal Australian Air Force), for his gracious hospitality, and to your mayor, Jenny Hill, who kindly met with me during my visit.

I know Townsville is eternally grateful for the sacrifices of my grandfather’s cousin, Lawrence, and all of the other young men who bravely fought in the “war to end all wars”. My family and I join you in your remembrance of your citizens. CATHERINE M. WILSON,

Thornwood, USA.