Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Kenneth Edward Goddard Lowry was born in 1918 to Arthur and Mary Lowry, the youngest of 4 boys. His mum then gave him a baby sister 6 years later, but tragically she only lived for 6 months. His mum then passed away when Ken was only 15 years old, so he had a fairly hard upbringing.

In December 1939 Ken enlisted in the Australian Army. and served for 2 years, being discharged in December 1941.

My name is Scott, and I am the youngest of 6 children by Ken and Sylvia Lowry - Ken was my dad. Although I don't know much, I'd like to share this little bit about my dad's involvement in the war.

My dad passed away in 1972 when I was only 9 years old, so I obviously missed the chance to talk with him about his war service. What little I know I have picked up from anecdotal conversations had over a number of years with my mother and older siblings. Ken and Sylvia's other children were Tom, Chris, Gwenda, Leonie and Denise.

The story goes that my dad was due to be posted to Papua New Guinea in 1941 - heading for the Kokoda track probably - but he was pulled off the boat at Sydney Harbour at the last minute and later discharged. As he was apparently registered as a foundry worker, his employer back in Adelaide (Horwood Bagshaws) had him declared an “essential” worker so that they could get him back. Dad was, apparently, not impressed! He didn't appreciate seeing his mates sail off to war while he went home.

The story goes on further that, apparently, the unit to which my dad was attached (3 Field Ambulance) was all but wiped out a few months later – so if my dad had not been discharged, I probably would not be alive to tell this tale.

I now have 4 children of my own, and in particular, my 2 sons have recently been asking me to tell them about their grandfather (whom they have obviously never met). When I mentioned that he had served in WWII, they wanted to know more, and it was then that I realised that I had never seen any medals.

From what my siblings remember, my dad apparently never applied to receive his war service medals. This was probably because, as he never actually saw active duty, he may have been a little embarrassed to apply for them.

If dad had been embarrassed by this short service history, he should not have been. I am proud to think that he was more than willing to serve, and also proud that he obviously made it through his basic and other training, to be ready to deploy.

So in 2014, the Department of Defence issued my dad with his two eligible service medals - the Australian Service Medal, an the War Service Medal.

I'm very proud of him, but I do miss him...

Scott Lowry
Adelaide South Australia