Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War ‘1945’ C.B.E., 1943 ‘Htizwe Bridgehead’ D.S.O. group of ten awarded to Brigadier A. W. Lowther, Indian Army, late Devonshire Regiment, a veteran of the Great War and North West Frontier, who went on to command the 2nd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment in Arakan in 1943, and then commanded the 4th Indian Infantry Brigade, March 1943 - January 1945

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type, neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue; Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1943’, with integral top riband bar; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. W. Lowther.) VM rank given as ‘2. Lieut.’; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut. A. W. Lowther, 1/76/Pjbs.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Major A. W. Lowther, 3-1 Punjab R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, first four campaign awards mounted for wear, with riband bars, BWM and VM a little polished, otherwise generally very fine or better (10) £4,000-£5,000

C.B.E. London Gazette 15 November 1945.
The original recommendation states: ‘Arakan/Burma. Brigadier Lowther assumed command of 4 Ind. Inf. Bde. on 29 Mar 43, and relinquished on taking home leave on 19 Jan 45. He has commanded his Brigade with continuous success and ability during two successive operational seasons. During many engagements, Brig. Lowther has set a fine example of determined leadership, and the successes of his Bde, and their final efficiency are in no small measure due to the continuous hard work, keenness and determination with which he has carried out his duties as their Commander. He has in fact, built up a fine Brigade, well trained and efficient, from the very small beginnings which existed in the early days of 1943. Throughout, Brig. Lowther’s services to his Brigade, and the Division, have been characterised by the quiet confidence with which he has carried out the tasks allotted, and by an unfailing determination to succeed. His services have been exceptional, and in my opinion [Major General C. E. N. Lomax, Commanding 26th Indian Division], fully merit the award of the C.B.E. for which I very strongly recommend him.’

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 June 1943.
The original recommendation states: ‘At Htizwe, Burma, 10 - 16 March 1943. On 12 Mar 43 his battalion position was attacked during several hours. The attack was repulsed and the battalion ordered to be withdrawn to a new position. Col. Lowther skilfully withdrew his battalion to a new position in daylight from close contact with the enemy. The following day his battalion was again attacked in a position held by the battalion and ancillary troops under command. The enemy affected a lodgement and succeeded in penetrating. The first counter attack failed; a second ejected the enemy with great loss, resulting in the capture of much material and very valuable documents. On orders from Bde HQ on 14/15 Mar Col. Lowther successfully withdrew his battalion and all attached troops in his area across an unfordable river, from close contact with the enemy. He conducted a similar operation, equally successfully, on the following night. Col. Lowther displayed a great tactical ability and initiative throughout, rectified many critical situations by his personality and showed complete disregard for his own safety. His example combined with skilful and determined leadership undoubtedly saved the Bde from disaster.’

M.I.D. London Gazettes 19 October 1944 and 5 April 1945.

Albert William Lowther initially served during the Great War as a Private in the Devonshire Regiment, prior to being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the I.A.R.O. in July 1918. He was posted to the 76th Punjabis, and served with them in the Mesopotamian theatre of war and subsequently on the North West Frontier. Lowther advanced to Lieutenant in 1922, to Captain in 1932, and served as Major with the 3/1st Punjab Regiment (formerly the 76th Punjabis) on the North West Frontier.

Lowther transferred to the 2nd Battalion, and commanded them during the Second World War in Burma. The Battalion received more gallantry awards than any other unit of the Indian Army for the Second World War. Lowther commanded his Battalion as part of the 55th Indian Infantry Brigade, 14th Indian Division during the First Arakan Campaign and was rewarded with the D.S.O. for his skilful withdraw from the Htizwe Bridgehead when the Division was overrun by the Japanese in March 1943.

Lowther was promoted to Brigadier, and commanded the 4th Indian Infantry Brigade from 23 March 1943 - 19 January 1945. The latter served as part of the 26th Indian Division, 15th Indian Corps in the Arakan and Burma.