Highlights of Our Collection
Sgt Albert David (Alby) Lowerson VC #2358
Date of birth: 2 August 1896
Place of birth: Myrtleford, VIC
Date of death: 15 December 1945
Place of death: Myrtleford, VIC
Alby Lowerson was born at Myrtleford, Victoria, and had been dredging for gold at Adelong, New South Wales, before enlisting in the 21st Battalion in July 1915. He was wounded at Pozières, where his bravery was noted. He was wounded again at Bullecourt in May 1917.
At Mont St Quentin on 1 September 1918, Lowerson was cited for his "conspicuous bravery and tactical skill". His bold actions included bombing a German strong-point which was holding up the attack. With a small team he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and captured 12 machine-guns and 30 prisoners. Badly wounded in the thigh, he refused to leave his position until the prisoners had been sent to the rear, and the post had been consolidated.
Lowerson was wounded on a fourth occasion in October and finally invalided home. He served again in Australia during the Second World War. After his discharge he returned to Myrtleford, where he died.
Lowerson was awarded the Victoria Cross, service medals for the First and Second World Wars and the King George VI Coronation Medal.
Between the wars Lowerson was a dairy and tobacco farmer on a Victorian soldier settlement block. He named his property, on Merriang estate near Myrtleford, St Quentin. He married Edith Larkins at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, on 1 February 1930. Re-enlisting on 5 July 1940, he served as a sergeant in various training units throughout Australia until discharged in 1944. Survived by his wife and daughter, he died of leukaemia at Myrtleford on 15 December 1945 and was buried there after a Methodist service. A memorial headstone was unveiled in 1949 and local returned servicemen make an annual pilgrimage to the grave. In 1966 Myrtleford named the A. D. Lowerson Memorial Swimming Pool in his honour.
Alby's Medals
Note the Victoria Cross on the left. |
Alby's Grave
Inscription on his grave, in the Myrtleford Cemetery. |
