Trafford

Born at Knutsford on the 30th October 1877, the birth being registered
during the June quarter 1878 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/189, the son
of Joseph & Margaret Lowe (nee Bourke).   Baptised at the Church of St.
Vincent de Paul, Knutsford the same day as he was born.   

1881 Census - Market Place End Yard, Knutsford Nether, Cheshire.   Son -
aged: 3 - born: Knutsford.  Head of household - Joseph Lowe - Married -
aged: 40 - occ: Labourer - born: Knutsford.   Also - Margaret Lowe - Wife -
aged: 33 - born: Ireland.   Plus 1 elder sister and 2 Lodgers.

1891 Census - Back King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire.    The family recorded
under the name of LOW.   Son - aged: 13 - Scholar - born: Knutsford.   Head
of Household Joseph Lowe - aged: 50 - occ: Agricultural Labourer - born:
Knutsford.   Also Margaret Lowe - Wife - aged: 40 - born: Ireland.   Plus
two younger siblings.

Married Catherine Morrough on the 11th September 1897, the marriage being
registered during the September quarter 1897 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref:
8a/362.

1901 Census - Market Place, King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire.    Joseph
Jnr. is now the Head of household - Married - aged: 23 - occ: General
Labourer - born: Knutsford.   Also Kate Lowe - Wife - aged: 22 - born:
Altrincham.   Plus their eldest son (their only son at that time) - Edward
Lowe - aged: 2 - born: Knutsford.   Joseph's parents were also residing
with them - Joseph & Margaret Lowe.

1911 Census - 11 Old Market Place, Knutsford, Cheshire.  Head of household
- Married - aged: 33 - Married - Scavenger with Local Council - born:
Knutsford.    Also - Kate Lowe - Wife - aged: 33 - born: Altrincham.   Plus
5 children, including Edward Lowe who was also killed during WW1.   Joseph
& Kate had been married for 14 years and produced 8 children, of which 5
were still alive.

He was drafted to France on 18/05/1915.    According to the Regiment's war
diary, they were at Petit Sans in Flanders on the 29th June 1916 when eight
men were wounded by enemy shells.   Presumably Joseph was one of those
wounded and died a few days later.

the 04/07/1916 edition of the local newspaper, reported that his wife at 37
Chapel St, had received a telegram on Saturday 1st July to say that he had
been dangerously wounded at the front - he died the next day.     
Commemorated on both the Altrincham & the Knutsford Town War Memorials.

His son  - Edward Lowe was also killed on active service, he had two sons -
Edward, killed 21/03/1918 and John (Jack) Lowe.    Jack's son - Edward
Peter Lowe, believes that No 37 Chapel St was the 3rd house from the bottom
on the left (had an entry under the first floor - to access the rear of the
property). 

See also "The Bravest Little Street in England" by Karen Cliff, Trafford
Local Studies Library.