Corporal Ezekiel Lowry
Ezekiel Lowry was born around 1880 at Ballyvesey, Belfast, County Antrim. By the time of the 1901 Census he was living at nearby Carnmoney Bog, Glengormley, with his step-father, labourer James Lowry, his mother Mary, his six siblings and twin half-sisters, and working as a tram-car conductor.
Lowry enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery at Belfast on 3 April 1902 (No.23404). He served with the regiment as a gunner in South Africa from February 1903 before returning home two years later and being placed in the reserve list. On 2 April 1914 he was discharged on the completion of his 12 years' engagement, his conduct recorded as 'very good'.
While a reservist Lowry had lived at Carnmoney and worked on the trams. His mother had died in 1902 and his step-father in 1909. By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Carnmoney with two of his siblings and his two half-sisters and working as an 'electric tram driver'. He later lived at 104 Cosgrave Street, Belfast.
Lowry enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 8 September 1914 (No.1162 – later Corps of Hussars No.71260). He was promoted to corporal on 1 December. On 1 May 1915 he embarked for France with D Squadron, which at the time was serving as divisional cavalry to the 51st Division.
In May 1916 D Squadron came together with A and E Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps.
In January 1917 Lowry was hospitalised with a fractured toe on his left foot, and the following June, with fracture to the humerus bone at the left elbow. Evacuated to the UK on 15 July, he was treated at Cheltenham VAD Hospital. Two months later he was attached to the command depot at Ballykinlar, before rejoining the North Irish Horse at its Antrim base depot on 22 November 1917.
On 31 January 1918 Lowry was discharged, being 'no longer physically fit for war service' (paragraph 392(xvi), King's Regulations). He was granted a partial pension due to the injury to his elbow.
Following his discharge, Lowry returned to 104 Cosgrave Street and worked as a tram conductor. On 19 June 1919 he married Sarah Jane McAuley at the Carnmoney Church of Ireland Parish Church. He died at the Lisburn Road Hospital on 9 January 1934 and was buried in the Carnmoney Cemetery.