Barlowe, James Alexander Bell
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant
No. 17230, 19th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Died of disease on Wednesday 16 July 1919 (aged 23)
Buried:
Donaghendry Church of Ireland Churchyard, Stewartstown, Co Tyrone
(Grave North of Church)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Stewartstown War Memorial, Co Tyrone
Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI)
Glencraig Parish Church of Ireland Church (Holy Trinity)
Donaghendry Parish Church of Ireland Church Co Tyrone
St Silas’ Parish Church of Ireland Church, Oldpark Road, Belfast
BIOGRAPHY
James Alexander Bell Barlowe was born on 25 September 1895 in Stewartstown, County Tyrone and he was the only son of James Alexander and Martha Barlowe (nee Bell) who were married on 17 December 1891 in Brigh Presbyterian Church, Co Tyrone. James Alexander Barlowe, a newspaper correspondent from Stewartstown, was a son of James Barlowe, a flax merchant. Martha Bell from Stewartstown was a daughter of James Bell, a farmer.
The Barlowe family lived in Stewartstown, Co Tyrone before moving to Belfast where they lived in Cambrai Street and Cliftonville Road; later they lived at Dundevin, Craigavad and Grangefield, Craigavad.
James Alexander Barlowe worked as a journalist and he and Martha had five children:
Sarah Davis (Sadie, born 22 September 1892 in Tamnalennon, Stewartstown)
James Alexander Bell (born 25 September 1895 in Stewartstown)
Thurfrida Rowena Winifred (born 19 August 1902 at 12 Elimgrove Street, Belfast)
Algytha Laura Millicent (born 15 October 1903 at 12 Elimgrove Street, Belfast)
Edwyna Ulrica Ermyntrude (born 15 October 1907 at 4 Elimgrove Terrace, Cliftonville Road, Belfast)
James Alexander Bell Barlowe was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) and, in civilian life, like his father, he worked as a journalist.
At least two of his sisters were married in Glencraig Parish Church of Ireland Church and both married soldiers:
On 9 December 1916 Sadie married Sergeant Sydney Howard White.
On 12 May 1921 Thurfrida married Lieutenant Robert Arthur Arland Macready.
James Alexander Bell Barlowe enlisted in Belfast on 15 September 1914 and was posted to Finner Camp in County Donegal. On 23 February 1915 he became a Lance Corporal, on 14 April 1915 a Corporal, on 7 July 1915 a Sergeant, and, on 29 November 1915, he attained the rank of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.
Medal Roll records show that James Barlowe served overseas with 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, later being transferred to the 19th Battalion.
During the First World War the 19th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles was formed in Newcastle, Co Down and was stationed in Ireland and England until 15 June 1918.
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant James Alexander Bell Barlowe sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne. He was admitted immediately to hospital in Etaples suffering from influenza and then transferred to No. 6 Stationary Hospital in Le Havre. He was deemed to be ‘fit for war service’ when he was discharged from hospital on 28 July 1918. On 27 February 1919 he was demobilised to his home at Craigavad; he was suffering from tuberculosis.
James Alexander Bell Barlowe was 23 when he died of acute pulmonary tuberculosis on 16 July 1919. His sister Sadie was with him when he died at home – Grangefield, Craigavad.
James Alexander Bell Barlowe was buried in Donaghendry Church of Ireland Churchyard, Stewartstown, Co Tyrone and there is an inscription on his CWGC headstone:
LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD
FEAR GOD, HONOUR THE KING
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant James Alexander Bell Barlowe is commemorated on Stewartstown War Memorial, Co Tyrone; on the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) War Memorial; in Glencraig Parish Church of Ireland Church (Holy Trinity); in Donaghendry Parish Church of Ireland Church Co Tyrone and in St Silas’ Parish Church of Ireland Church, Oldpark Road, Belfast (the memorial pulpit was lost during the German air raids of 1941.