Jordan, Lowry
Military Medal
Corporal
No. 4034, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, transferred to
No. 129799, Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1 April 1918)
Died in service on Monday 22 July 1918 (aged 28)
Buried:
Ballygowan Presbyterian Churchyard, Co. Down (Grave 139)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ballygowan Presbyterian Church
BIOGRAPHY
Lowry Jordan was born on 27 August 1889 in Ballygowan and he was a son of James and Robina Jordan (nee Mills) who were married on 1 May 1874 in Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church.
James Jordan worked as a railway porter and then as a quarry labourer and he and Robina had at least nine children including:
John (born 20 December 1874 in Ballygowan)
Jane (born 1 September 1876 in Ballygowan; died)
Thomas (born 2 October 1878 in Ballygowan)
William (born 30 March 1881 in Ballygowan)
John (born 3 May 1886 in Ballygowan; died)
Lowry (born 27 August 1889 in Ballygowan)
John (born 2 February 1892 in Ballygowan)
Jane (born 20 April 1894 in Ballygowan)
Before the Great War, Lowry Jordan was employed by the Prudential Assurance Company in Belfast and, as a Reservist, he re-joined the Army on mobilisation in August 1914. Previously he had served as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery before being transferred to the Rifle Brigade and in 1913 he was placed on the reserve list.
In the Great War Lowry Jordan served as a Rifleman with the Rifle Brigade (No. 4034) and he went to France on 7 November 1914.
In November 1916, Rifleman Lowry Jordan was awarded the Military Medal ‘for conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy trench on 25 June 1916. As soon as he entered the enemy trench he was wounded by a bomb but continued with his work. He rescued a wounded comrade from some of the enemy who were pulling him down a dug-out and saw him to a place of safety. Returning to the same place he despatched the would-be captors and left the trench with Lieutenant Murray. He also refused to leave the officer after being twice ordered to do so’.
Subsequently he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Because of his wounds he was deemed unfit for further active service in the Army but in 1918 he was sufficiently recovered to join the Royal Flying Corps.
Corporal Lowry Jordan died suddenly on 22 July 1918 at Blandford, Dorset and his remains were interred in the graveyard adjoining Ballygowan Presbyterian Church. After a memorial service conducted by the Rev W.K. McLernon, a contingent of the Norfolks fired three volleys over his grave and sounded The Last Post.
Corporal Lowry Jordan was 28 when he died and he is commemorated in Ballygowan Presbyterian Church.