Francis Robert Lowe

Francis Robert Lowe was born in Stapleford and was the son of Charles Marcus Lowe and his first wife Rose Ann (née Wood). His father Charles Marcus was born in 1863 (J/F/M Nottingham), the son of Robert and Fanny Lowe (née Green), and was baptised at Beeston St John on 24 May 1863. Charles, his brother John and his parents were living at Roscoe Place, Nottingham, in 1871. His mother Rose Ann was born in Stapleford in 1864 (J/A/S Shardlow), the daughter of John and Hannah Wood, and was baptised at Stapleford St Helen on 31 July 1864. In 1871 the family was living in Lot Close, Stapleford. Charles Marcus and Rose Ann were married on 26th September 1880 at Nottingham St John and had two children, Caroline Fanny who was born on 14 February 1881 (J/F/M Shardlow Derbys) and Francis Robert who was born on 4 March 1883 (A/M/J Shardlow). Both children were baptised at Nottingham St Ann on 6 January 1889. The baptismal records, which included their dates of birth, gave Charles and Rose's address as 72 Blue Bell Hill Road, Nottingham, which was probably his parents' home. The 1881 Census has a record of Charles M Lowe (18) single (sic) a plumber, and Rose Ann Lowe (18 b. Stapleford) married who were boarders at 6 Nelson Terrace, Nottingham, the home of John and Mary Viles. A surviving army service record shows that Charles enlisted as a driver in the Royal Artillery in May 1889; he gave his age as 20 years (sic) 3 months, occupation plumber and named his father Robert Lowe of 72 Blue Bell Hill Road as his next of kin. He served only two days before being discharged as 'not being likely to become an efficient soldier.' By the time of the 1891 Census, Charles Marcus (28), now a warehouseman, was living with his parents at 72 Blue Bell Hill Road with his children Caroline (10) and Francis (8). Charles was described as single. His wife, Rose Ann, has not yet been traced on records after 1889. Charles married secondly Elizabeth (Lizzie) Eveylyn Jelland in 1896 (J/A/S Nottingham) and they had two children, Nellie Evelyn b. Newcastle 1898 and Charles b. Newcastle 1900 but who died the same year. They were recorded living in in Elswick, Newcastle on the 1901 Census; Charles was a mechanical engineer. In the household were Elizabeth (39) their daughter Nellie (3) and five boarders all of whom were also employed as mechanical engineers: James and William A Higgins both born in Derbyshire, Edward Thomas Lowe b. Nottingham and William H Brown b. Nottingham. Charles Marcus died at 142 Woodborough Road, Nottingham, his parents' home, in July 1902. Charles' daughter Caroline Fanny married Henry Walter Holmes at Nottingham St Mary on 7 July 1898; they had three children, Henry Wallace b. Newcastle 1899 (J/F/M), Arthur b. Nottingham 7 November 1903 and Ronald George b Nottingham 24 June 1907. In 1901 Caroline and Henry and their son Henry Wallace (2) were living at 142 Woodborough Road, Nottingham, with Caroline's grandparents, Robert and Fanny Lowe. Henry was a grocer's assistant probably working for Robert Lowe who was a grocer/shopkeeper. Also in the household was Caroline's brother, Francis Robert (18), a lace warehouse assistant. Francis Robert married May Elizabeth Corden (born Nottingham, 29th December 1883) on 21st December 1905 at St Andrew's Anglican Church, Nottingham. They went on to have four children: Mary Elizabeth born 19th April 1906, Lilian Edith born 12th May 1907, Francis (8), Henry born 17th August 1908 and Charles Marcus born 29th October 1914. By the time of the 1911 census the family was living at 22 Ashover Terrace, Manning Street, Nottingham, and shown as Francis Robert 28 yrs a net curtain folder, his wife May Elizabeth 27 yrs and their children, May Elizabeth 4 yrs, Lillian Edith 3 yrs and Francis Henry 2 yrs. Their fourth child Charles was born three years later. At the time of Francis' death in 1916 the family was living at 4 Manning Grove, Manning Street, Nottingham. Following his death his widow May Elizabeth was awarded a pension of 28 shillings and 9 pence a week paid from 21st May 1917. Francis' sister Caroline died of influenza and pneumonia on 15 November 1918, a month after the death of her son Henry Wallace in France on 18 October. Her husband Henry was serving with the Army Service Corps in Mesopotamia at the time of their deaths. He and their two surviving sons, Francis Arthur and Ronald George, later lived in Carrington, Nottingham. Of Francis Robert's children: May Elizabeth married Edward A Fairweather (b, 18 January1908) in 1929 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living on Seaton Crescent, Nottingham; Edward was a cycle polisher. Also in the home was their daughter Sheila (b. 22 December 1930); the records of four other members of the household remain closed. May died in 1961 (O/N/D Nottingham). Lilian Edith has not been traced after the war. Francis Henry married Rose Smith (b. 1 May 1912) in 1931 (O/N/D Bradford). In 1939 they were living at Heath Terrace, Bradford; Francis was a glass beveller and Rose a winder (wool manufacturer). The record of one other member of the household remains closed. Francis died in 2002 (J/A/S Nottingham). Charles Marcus married Alice M Lees (b. 27 August 1914) in 1937 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1939 they were living on Harcourt Road, Nottingham; Charles was an engineering examiner and Alice a food distribution clerk. Charles died in 1995 (O/N/D Erewash).