Post by Frenchie on Mar 6, 2009 12:57:18 GMT 1
Ex Sergeant Eric Lowe passed away in Hospital on 4th December 2008. The funeral service took place with a Requiem Mass on Tuesday 16th December 2008 at St Anthony's Roman Catholic Parish Church on Scotland Road. Liverpool L5 5BD, followed by a short service at Anfield Crematorium and afterwards at the Royal Naval Association on Cherryfield Drive in Kirkby Town Centre.
Obituary written by Lt. Col (Retired)Tony Holingsworth
After his basic training, Eric’s was posted to the 1st Bn the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, joining his battalion when they were stationed in Malta during 1967/8. Not having been with them long, a group from the Loyals were posted ‘on loan’ to the King’s Regiment who were based in Minden, Germany. Whilst in Minden the Battalion carried out one of the First Op Banner Tours in Northern Ireland at the start of the troubles. By now the lads from the Loyals were settling in, but not without the compulsory ‘Mickey’ taking!
The Battalion then moved to Weeton near Blackpool, and another tour of Northern Ireland cropped up. In 1972 the battalion underwent the most intense operations that the King’s Regiment has been involved in for a long time. In four months, we lost 7 killed and had 42 seriously wounded. One of those wounded was his old platoon friend Dougie Shipman, who is here today. Eric, despite the gun battle, managed to drag the unconscious Dougie back into cover. The battalion then moved to Hong Kong where Eric saw life in Asia and Australia and spent a great amount of time patrolling on the Hong Kong/Chinese border. On the battalions return from Hong Kong, whilst on leave, Eric met Rita and they eventually married. Rita was not very happy with Army life and it was at this stage Eric decided that he should leave the Army. He gave Civvy Street it a go but it wasn’t his scene, he really loved and missed the army. Rita relented and Eric came returned to the battalion in Colchester, where he took on the role of Driving an Ambulance. He then saw service in Canada, Northern Ireland and Cyprus, which where unaccompanied tours. In 1980 the Battalion moved to Osnabück, again undertaking tours in Northern Ireland and many exercises in Germany and Canada. It was here that Eric took up the various medical orderly courses and found he had a flair for the training and during this time he reached full corporal. The Battalion then moved to Chester and it was her that the Regiment was to celebrate their Tercentenary - the Regiment being 300 years of age. Eric, was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LS&GC). I know he was a very proud man receiving the award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
Eric changed roles and moved into the position of Sgts Mess Manager which he didn’t really enjoy, and not long after moving to Berlin he moved back to the Medical Centre as the Medical Sergeant, where he was most at home, just in time for another two year tour of Northern Ireland in Ballykelly, near Londonderry.
Eric left the Army after a full career in Hounslow when the Battalion were conducting Public duties. Eric really couldn’t settle, he loved the Army with a passion. He tried various jobs but none made him happy. He joined the King’s Regiment Association, Knowsley Branch and became a strong member of the Committee.
In one of those solemn moments that a husband and wife share together, Rita said to Eric ”I just couldn’t live if you were to pass away before me.” Eric responded by saying, “just imagine that I am away on another posting, then you will be able to manage.” That’s the way Eric was, always thoughtful, always caring, always a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
He was truly a great Kingsman. Farewell old Friend on your final posting, and Godspeed.
Obituary written by Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Tony Hollingsworth MBE.
I remember Eric well. What was most noticeable about him was his thoughtful professionalism.
Rest in Peace Eric
Obituary written by Lt. Col (Retired)Tony Holingsworth
After his basic training, Eric’s was posted to the 1st Bn the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, joining his battalion when they were stationed in Malta during 1967/8. Not having been with them long, a group from the Loyals were posted ‘on loan’ to the King’s Regiment who were based in Minden, Germany. Whilst in Minden the Battalion carried out one of the First Op Banner Tours in Northern Ireland at the start of the troubles. By now the lads from the Loyals were settling in, but not without the compulsory ‘Mickey’ taking!
The Battalion then moved to Weeton near Blackpool, and another tour of Northern Ireland cropped up. In 1972 the battalion underwent the most intense operations that the King’s Regiment has been involved in for a long time. In four months, we lost 7 killed and had 42 seriously wounded. One of those wounded was his old platoon friend Dougie Shipman, who is here today. Eric, despite the gun battle, managed to drag the unconscious Dougie back into cover. The battalion then moved to Hong Kong where Eric saw life in Asia and Australia and spent a great amount of time patrolling on the Hong Kong/Chinese border. On the battalions return from Hong Kong, whilst on leave, Eric met Rita and they eventually married. Rita was not very happy with Army life and it was at this stage Eric decided that he should leave the Army. He gave Civvy Street it a go but it wasn’t his scene, he really loved and missed the army. Rita relented and Eric came returned to the battalion in Colchester, where he took on the role of Driving an Ambulance. He then saw service in Canada, Northern Ireland and Cyprus, which where unaccompanied tours. In 1980 the Battalion moved to Osnabück, again undertaking tours in Northern Ireland and many exercises in Germany and Canada. It was here that Eric took up the various medical orderly courses and found he had a flair for the training and during this time he reached full corporal. The Battalion then moved to Chester and it was her that the Regiment was to celebrate their Tercentenary - the Regiment being 300 years of age. Eric, was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LS&GC). I know he was a very proud man receiving the award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
Eric changed roles and moved into the position of Sgts Mess Manager which he didn’t really enjoy, and not long after moving to Berlin he moved back to the Medical Centre as the Medical Sergeant, where he was most at home, just in time for another two year tour of Northern Ireland in Ballykelly, near Londonderry.
Eric left the Army after a full career in Hounslow when the Battalion were conducting Public duties. Eric really couldn’t settle, he loved the Army with a passion. He tried various jobs but none made him happy. He joined the King’s Regiment Association, Knowsley Branch and became a strong member of the Committee.
In one of those solemn moments that a husband and wife share together, Rita said to Eric ”I just couldn’t live if you were to pass away before me.” Eric responded by saying, “just imagine that I am away on another posting, then you will be able to manage.” That’s the way Eric was, always thoughtful, always caring, always a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
He was truly a great Kingsman. Farewell old Friend on your final posting, and Godspeed.
Obituary written by Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Tony Hollingsworth MBE.
I remember Eric well. What was most noticeable about him was his thoughtful professionalism.
Rest in Peace Eric