Lieutenant Drury Curzon LOWE — 17th Lancers

Campaign service

Lieutenant-General Drury Curzon Lowe served the Eastern campaign from the 20th of June 1855 to the 6th of September 1855, including the battle of the Tchernya and the Siege of Sebastopol. (Medal and Clasp.) Present during the Mutiny campaign of 1857-58 at the action of Zerapore. (Mentioned in despatches and Medal.) The muster rolls for the period July-September 1858 show him as being "On Field Service" from September.

Commanded the 17th Lancers during the Zulu War of 1877-79 and was slightly wounded by a spent ball at Ulundi. (Medal and Clasp and appointed a C.B.) Served in the Transvaal War of 1881 in command of the Cavalry Brigade, under Sir Evelyn Wood.

Commanded the Cavalry Brigade, and afterwards the Cavalry Division, throughout the whole of the Egyptian campaign of 1882. Present at the action of Mahuta, action of Kassasin, capture of Masemah. battle of Tel-el-Kebir and subsequent pursuit to Belbeis and the surrender and occupation of Cairo. (Three times mentioned in despatches, thanked by both Houses of Parliament, awarded the 2nd Class Order of the Osmaneih. Appointed K.C.B. (Medal and Clasp and the Khedive's Bronze Star.)

Joined the regiment in the Crimea aboard the S.T. "Cormorant" on the 20th of June 1855 and returned to England aboard the "Etna".

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, the Turkish medal, Mutiny medal (without clasp), Zulu War medal (with clasp for 1879), C.B. (27th of November 1879), appointed K.C.B. (18th of November 1882), 2nd Class Order of the Osmaneih, the Egyptian medal for 1882 (with clasp for Tel-el-Kebir), and the Khedive's Bronze Star (dated 1882). He also received the "Reward for Distinguished and Meritorious Service."

Commemorations

Death & burial

Died at 7, Gay Street, Bath, on the 6th of April 1908, and was buried in the churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, Denby, Derbyshire, on the 9th of April.

Death registered

Drury Curzon D. Lowe, 78, June Quarter 1908, Bath.

Extracts from the Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 11th of April 1908:

"Death of General Sir Drury Curzon Drury-Lowe"

A DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER. It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death on Monday last of Lieutenant-General Sir D.C. Drury-Lowe, the well-known and distinguished Derbyshire soldier.

The sad event took place at Bath, where the deceased gentleman and Lady Drury-Lowe had been staying for the past month. He had been ailing only a few days, and his death came as a shock to his many friends.

The late Sir Drury-Lowe was the last of five brothers, all of whom have died within the last three years, namely — Captain Vincent Drury-Lowe, who died in April of 1905; Mr William Drury-Lowe (the eldest brother) who died in August 1906; Captain Richard Drury-Lowe, who died in September of 1906; Colonel Robert Drury-Lowe, who died in January of 1907; and now the General...

Lieutenant-General Sir Drury Curzon Drury Lowe, G.C.B. was the second son of the late William Drury-Lowe, Esq., of Locko Park, near Derby, by Caroline, daughter of the second Lord Scarsdale. He was born on the 3rd of January 1830, being educated privately and graduating B.A. at an Oxford University.

On the outbreak of the Crimean War he decided to adopt the profession of arms, and obtained a commission by purchase in the 17th Lancers. In November of 1854 he became a Lieutenant and arrived in the Crimea in the summer of 1855 in time to be present at the battle of the Tchernya, and received the medal and clasp for the Siege of Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.

He had entered the Army comparatively late in life, but his promotions were to be remarkably quick, for he purchased his Captaincy in 1856. In 1857 the 17th Lancers embarked for India, arriving at Bombay in the middle of December.

The regiment, on landing, proceeded to Kirkee, where it remained for several months, obtaining horses from the Remount Depot. Each squadron as it became mounted was sent to the front, but it was not until the 6th of November 1858 that Colonel Benson arrived with three out of his four squadrons at Hasangabad. It is needless to follow the proceedings of the regiment and to recount its extraordinary marches from place to place.

It is sufficient to say that on the 29th of December, Colonel Benson, with 210 men of his own regiment and two artillery pieces, after a march of 148 miles in 120 hours, caught Tantia Topee at Zeerapore, where he had taken up a position with 4,000 men.

After a most gallant fight of some two hours duration, the enemy dispersed and fled in every direction. In the records of the 17th Lancers it is stated that ""the action closed with the capture of four of Tantia's elephants by Captain Drury-Lowe. The ornaments of these elephants still remain in the regiment's possession as trophies of this regimental day." (See record of 868 William Purvis of the 17th Lancers for a different version of the occurrence.)

During the rest of the campaign, the 17th, and with it Captain Drury-Lowe, was engaged in chastising the rebels. The subject of our sketch obtained for this a medal and a mention in despatches. In 1862 he purchased his majority.

In 1865 the 17th Lancers returned to England and in June of 1866 he succeeded to the command of the corps by purchase after not quite ten years service. He was by now however, a soldier of some experience, and being alert, active, and devoted to his profession, he kept the regiment in excellent order during his period of command, but after he left the results of his rule still lasted, and the 17th Lancers continued to be noted for its efficiency. The explanation was that he had established a good system, not that he merely commanded well himself.

In June 1871 he became Colonel in the Army, and seven years later he went on half-pay.

Then a curious thing happened. The regiment was ordered to South Africa, but Colonel Gomme, who had succeeded Colonel Drury-Lowe, was severely wounded whilst practising revolver shooting with his officers. Colonel Drury Lowe was in consequence gazetted as additional Lieutenant-Colonel in the 17th, and assuming command on the 22nd of February 1879. after six months absence, sailed with the regiment a few days later.

Going into the field at once, the 17th Lancers joined Lord Chelmsford's column, and after some skirmishes and reconnaissance's, in one of which the Adjutant was killed, it fought at Ulundi. Colonel Lowe was at that time in command of the mounted troops with the column.

During the attack by the Zulus the regiment was inside the square, each man standing dismounted by the side of his horse. When the fury of the Zulu assault weakened after the fearful fire poured forth by the infantry, artillery and machine guns, Lord Chelmsford gave orders for the cavalry to attack, and Drury-Lowe with the mounted men issued forth from the square.

As they filed out, Captain Edgell of the 17th was shot dead at the head of his squadron. The whole of the 17th formed in echelon of wings in rank entire, and advanced rapidly, being met with a very heavy fire from the brave, but still dauntless Zulus concealed in the long grass of a shallow ravine. The Lancers however, plied their weapons effectively, dispersing, slaying, and putting to panic flight, all they met. For two miles the hunt was — for it had degenerated into that — continued, terrible slaughter being inflicted on the foe. Truly the 17th had "washed their spears" — to use a Kaffir expression, — on the 7th of June 1879.

In this action Colonel Drury-Lowe was slightly wounded. For his services in the campaign he was created a C.B. and received the medal with clasp. On the 1st of October 1879, he, for the second time took leave of the regiment, which had welcomed his return with great satisfaction and unfeignedly regretted his departure.

In 1881 he served with the Cavalry Brigade as Brigadier-General in command under Sir Evelyn Wood, in the war against the Boers, and in December of that year he became Major-General, returning to England in April of 1882. Major-General Drury-Lowe, who had now fully established his reputation as a cavalry leader, was in August of that same year sent out to Egypt in command of the cavalry brigade. When the Indian cavalry joined the main army on the 28th of August he was appointed to the command of the cavalry division thus constituted.

We do not propose to repeat the oft-told story of the brilliant little campaign which ensued. It is sufficient to say that Major General Drury-Lowe handled his division with energy and ability. He was present at the action of Mahuta, the action of Kassasin, where in the dark he took the British Brigade around the enemy's left in a wide sweep and fell suddenly upon a body of Egyptian infantry, causing them great loss and dispersing the survivors. The moment before the assault was delivered at Tel-el-Kebir, the Highland Brigade was in advance, the artillery and 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, and the cavalry were in the echelon on the right.

The cavalry division, as soon as the firing had begun, pushed to the front and changing front when it had passed the enemy's extreme left, swept through those who were fleeing from the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, and then rode on the bridge at Tel-el-Kebir. Before leaving that spot Sir Garnet Wolesley ordered General Drury-Lowe to advance with the cavalry division on Cairo with the utmost rapidity to save it if at all possible from the destruction threatened by Arabi Pasha. Before midnight of the 14th the capital of Egypt had been surrendered and 10,000 Egyptian troops had laid down their arms.

The desert march was most creditable to the energy of the divisional commander and to the efficiency of his men. It was also productive of the most important results. General Drury-Lowe therefore fully deserved the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, four mentions in despatches, the medal and clasp, the Khedive's medal, the Second Clasp of the Osmaneih, and the advancement to the Order of the K.C.B. Returning to England at the close of the campaign, Sir Drury-Lowe, after about two years of non-employment, was given the post of Inspector-General of Cavalry in Great Britain.

Three months after the expiration of his five year tenure of office he was re-appointed to one of a similar, but more extensive nature, i.e. the Inspector-Generalship of Great Britain and Ireland. This appointment he held from the 1st of April 1890 to the 30th of April 1891. He had become a Lieutenant-General in April of 1890, and was placed on the retired list on the 1st of January 1895. On the 25th of the following May he was given the Colonelcy of his old regiment, the 17th Lancers, and in the same month was created a K.C.B.

The return of General Drury-Lowe to Locko Park in 1882, after his success in the Egyptian campaign, was made the occasion of a great public demonstration. He was met at the Midland Station, Derby, by the Mayor (the late Sir Abraham Wooliwise) and escorted to the Market Square, where he was the recipient of an Address outside of the Town Hall.

The Address presented to the General on behalf of the Borough and County spoke of the "marvellous strategic skill and personal bravery" which he had displayed in the Egyptian campaign.

An Address was also presented by the tenantry at Locko, which referred to the General's work at Kassasin in the following terms: We read with thrilling pleasure what the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Garnet Wolesley, in his despatch to the Secretary of War of September the 24th, says of your forced march from Tel-el-Kebir immediately after the battle there, and of your occupation of Cairo the next day — which Sir Garnet Wolesley described as "being worthy of all praise," and the preservation of the city from destruction, and the lives of the European inhabitants, were due to the courage, skill and endurance of yourself and the forces under your command.

Impressive Funeral Service at Denby. — All that is mortal of the late Lieutenant-General D.C. Drury-Lowe was laid to rest in the peaceful churchyard at Denby on Thursday afternoon last. The obsequies were of an extremely quiet and simple a character. The body had been placed in a leaden coffin, with a polished English oak case and brass furniture, the breast-plate on it being engraved with the name and age of the deceased soldier.

The remains had left Gay Street, Bath, early in the morning, and were escorted by representatives of Messrs Powel and Powel, undertakers, of that city, and arrived at Derby Midland Station at 12.25 midday. It was covered with the Union Jack, and bore the lance-cap and sword of the deceased officer.

The funeral was timed to take place at half-past-two, by which time a goodly number of people had assembled in the Church and Churchyard to pay a last tribute of respect to one of Derbyshire's most well-known and distinguished sons. The coffin was met at the gates by the Vicar and the choir. [A list of family mourners and friends follows.]

It should be mentioned that Colonel Benson and Colonel Swain, both very old friends and colleagues, would have been present had circumstances permitted, and also General Benson, who was detained by military duties at Salisbury.

The service commenced with the hymn, "Rock of Ages," which was followed by the reading of the 39th Psalm, commencing, "I will take heed unto my ways." Then the Vicar read the solemn passage from the First Corinthians, 15th Chapter, beginning with the 21st verse. Then the strains of Mendelssohn's Funeral March issued from the organ, at which Mr. Uriah Hunt presided, and the procession reformed and left the church.

The interment took place in the family vault, which contains the remains of his parents and a brother who died less than two years ago. [Then follows a long list of wreath-senders.] The emblem from the deceased gentleman's regiment was composed of blue and white flowers representing the colours, and tied with ribbons of the same hue...

In his will he left his estate of £26,685 to his widow, Dame Elizabeth Lowe.

Lady Drury-Lowe later wrote to The Times expressing "her grateful thanks to all her kind friends for their loving sympathy in her great loss, especially those of the 17th Lancers."

Life after service

Further information

The Drury-Lowe family vault in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin at Denby in Derbyshire is a grass-covered plot some 35 feet by 25 feet and surrounded by a 5-foot-high ornamental iron railing and a gated entrance. There is nothing on the exterior to show that this is so and nothing to say who is interred there.

There are a number of tablets and memorials in the church itself to the Lowe family — the apparent oldest being the kneeling figures of Patrick Lowe (died 1616) and his wife, Jane (died 1584). The monument is of Derbyshire alabaster. At the rear of the main figures are four of their children (two having their heads covered) which indicates that they died before their parents.

In relation to Drury Curzon-Lowe the only one seen is "In loving memory of Lieutenant-General Sir Drury Curzon Drury-Lowe, G.C.B. 17th Lancers. Born 3rd of January 1830 — Died 6th of April 1908." On the right hand wall is one to his parents, which reads, "In loving memory of William Drury-Lowe of Locko and Denby. Born 5th October 1802 — Died 26th February 1877, and also of Caroline Ellen, his wife, youngest daughter of the 2nd Baron Scarsdale. Born 17th March 1808 -Died 16th October 1866." There is also a memorial to his great-grand-parents, William Drury, later Drury Lowe, and his wife Anne, the latter dying on the 1st of November 1848, in her 104th year...

In a letter [to EJB], Captain P.J.P. Drury-Lowe, the present occupant [1985] of the family seat at Locko Park, says that he has at Locko:

"A bit of a tusk from one of Tantia's elephants which has a small silver plate with an inscription on it. I also have a pair of diamond be-jewelled pistols given to him (General Drury-Lowe) by the Khedive and businessmen of Cairo after its capture in 1882. The scroll that goes with them is at Belvoir Castle. I have given — or loaned — his medals and swords and bits and pieces to the 17th/21st Lancers Museum as well. One of the swords is that of Arabi Pasha, who surrendered it to the General in 1882 and he, so I believe, handed it to Queen Victoria, who handed it back to him. It was here for some time, but I thought it would be better off in the Museum."

References & acknowledgements

Additional Census information for 1851 and 1891, and details of a registration of death, kindly provided by Chris Poole.