2nd Lieutenant John Jackson Low, R.E.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, BSAE, P.E., MinstRE
(August 2025)

Figure 1. 2^nd Lieutenant John Jackson Low, M.C., M.M., R.E.
(Image courtesy of the Imperial War Museum)

This is the story of a brave young man who enlisted in the Royal Engineers for service in the Great War of 1914-1918. He was commissioned from the ranks to serve in the Special Brigade and was killed in action. John had a younger brother who also served in the R.E. Special Brigade and an older brother who served in a field company of the Royal Engineers. Their stories will also be covered in this narrative

2. FAMILY INFORMATION AND EARLY LIFE

John Jackson Low was born in 1894 in Perth, Scotland. He was the son of James Low (1863-?), a grocery store manager, and Margaret Low, née Jackson (1862-?). James and Margaret had three other children: Marjory J. Low (1868-?), James Brown Low (1892-?)[2] and David Brown Low (1898-).[3]

The 1901 Census of Scotland shows the Low family residing at 89 Scott Street in Perth.

Figure 2. The Low Family Residence at 89 Scott Street in Perth.
(Image courtesy of Google Earth)

John attended Perth Academy and the University of Edinburgh where he studied Physics and received a Bachelor of Science Degree (with Honours) and a Master of Arts Degree in about 1915. Shortly after completing his studies he enlisted in the Royal Engineers.

The British responded to German offensive use of gas in late April 1915 by creating a “gas service” of its own. When it was initiated, 21 graduate chemists who were already serving in the army were found and approved by Sir Alfred Keogh, Director of Medical Services. They landed at Le Havre from the ship “Normania” on 15 May 1915.

In late May 1915, an effort began to find men with training in chemistry for service overseas with the Corps of Royal Engineers. They would be recruited under terms of general service for the duration of war, had to be aged between 19 and 45 and could fall outside the normal height and weight limits as long as they were otherwise fit. They would be enlisted into the corps and immediately given the rank of Corporal. The men would be paid two shillings and sixpence per day plus sixpence corps pay, and would qualify for separation allowance for dependents. After a recruit presented himself locally, he would be directed to the Central Recruiting Office at Great Scotland Yard in London for completion of the procedure. Men who were already serving under regular army terms could be transferred, but those who were in the Territorial Force or Special Reserve would technically have to be discharged and then re-enlisted for this service.[4]

On 26 May 1915, Major Charles Howard Foulkes R.E. was appointed as a gas advisor to General Headquarters in France, having previously been in command of the 11^th Field Company. It was largely due to his efforts that the organization developed, and he was eventually formally made commanding officer of the Special Brigade and on 17 June 1917 the GHQ Director of Gas Services. In the latter role he replaced Colonel (Temporary Major-General) Henry Fleetwood Thuillier. By 30 July 1915, 400 men had joined. Of these, 274 were enlisted and 126 transferred in from other regiments.[5]

John Low enlisted as a Corporal, Regimental Number 106266, in the Royal Engineers in 1915 at the time of the build-up of the R.E. Special Brigade. He was initially sent to “M” Depot Company at St. Mary’s Barracks, and old Napoleonic war barracks located to the rear of the School of Military Engineering. This was a temporary depot for the newly created special companies in 1915.[6]

All the “technically-qualified” rank and file of this new unit were enlisted as full Corporals and because of his university degrees Low qualified as such.[7] This created certain anomalies, and men in infantry units frequently made rude comments when they saw soldiers who wore two stripes carrying out such menial regimental tasks as sentry duty and camp fatigues.[8] In fact the enlistment of these men as Corporals led to the creation of the chorus to the Special Brigade’s marching song:[9]

On 31 July 1915 Corporal Low was sent to France to serve in a company of the “gas service,” which at the time consisted of the following companies:[10]

186th Company composed of Sections 1-10
187th Company composed of: Sections 11-20
188th Company composed of: Sections 21-30
189th Company composed of Sections 31-40

While serving in the ranks of one of these companies he was present at the first British gas attack on 25 September 1915. Corporal Low was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in action. His award was subsequently posted in the London Gazette dated 10 August 1916.

On 5 August 1916 Low was discharged from the ranks and on the following day he was commissioned a Temporary 2^nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and was posted to 26 Section in “F” Company of the Special Brigade as a section commander.[11] On 17 January 1916 the Special Brigade was formed and was expanded to two battalions and was organized as follows;[12]

“F” Company was a cylinder company consisting of 7 officers, 12 non-commissioned officers and 206 other ranks for a total of 225 all ranks, broken down as follows:

The first fatality reported in “F” Company after Low joined the unit was 2^nd Lieutenant Jeffrey Fryer Selous-Jones, who was killed on 26 August 1916. Like Low, Selous-Jones had been a Corporal (Regimental Number 113462) in the Special Brigade prior to receiving his commission.[13]

On 1 October 1916 Low and his company were serving in the sector of the New Zealand Division in the Le Transloy area.[14] 2^nd Lieutenant Low again displayed bravery in action and on 11 November 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross. The citation for his award, as published in the London Gazette, read as follows:[15]

“For conspicuous gallantry in action. When in command of special apparatus in the front trench, he displayed great coolness and determination under heavy shell fire and in most difficult circumstances.”

After receiving this award 2^nd Lieutenant Low sent some postcards to a young girl in Scotland. On one of the postcards he wrote:

“Dear Agnes, this is a pc to tell you I am in the best of health & that I am always behaving. I got a Military Cross yesterday so now I have two ribbons all over me. I hope you are well. JJ Low”[16]

The postcard that he sent to Agnes may well have been one with his photograph (see Figure 1) showing the ribbon bars for his Military Cross and Military Medal.

“F” Special Company’s War Diary (WO 95/242) was opened in March 1917. The diary shows that on 4 April 1917 2^nd Lieutenant Low was wounded in action. 128421 Pioneer W. Whittam was killed in the same action. On 6 April 1917 130559 Pioneer W.M. Richards was killed in action.[17] These casualties appear to be the result of the company preparing for action at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which started on 9 April and lasted until 14 April. On 12 April the company, employing Livens Projectors, fired more than 40 drums of gas directly into the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle to cause confusion among the Germans in support of the 4^th Canadian Division attack on the village.[18]

On 31 May 1917 “F” Special Company was active in the Battle of Lens where, before the British attack the German defenses were bombarded with 3,500 drums (about 46 long tons) of gas from Liven Projectors. Although “F” Company was a cylinder company, it may have been involved with this operation.

Low’s company was very active during the remainder of 1917 and suffered a number of fatal casualties.[19]

On 3 December 1917 Low’s unit was supporting the 2^nd ANZAC Corps of the New Zealand Division at the time. Their mission was to project gas (Livens bombs) into the southern outskirts of Becelaere at German infantry at zero plus 20 minutes to frustrate enemy attacks during the capture of Polderhoek Chateau. The ammunition consisted of 110 drums (Liven bombs) of CG gas (phosgene) to be fired against units of the German 7^th Division and 18^th Reserve Division. The post operation report (Operation No. 372) noted that the enemy retaliation for the attack was intense, but the New Zealand infantry attack was successful.[21]

At 1220 hours while returning from the front line trenches after firing 103 projectiles, 2^nd Lieutenant Low was killed in action.[22] He was buried at Polygon Wood Cemetery, row B, grave 9.

The probate of Low’s Will took place in Perth on 1 October 1918. His effects, amounting to £269-2s-7d (about $18,360 US in 2025 currency) were left to James Low and Margaret Jackson Low of 28 Jeanfield Road in Perth.

For his service during the war, 2^nd Lieutenant John Jackson Low, M.C., M.M., R.E. was awarded the Military Cross, the Military Medal, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.[23]

NOTE: The medals shown in Figure 5 are not those of Lieutenant Low. They are presented here for illustrative purposes only.

Figure 5a. The Medal Index Card of 2^nd Lieutenant J.J. Low, M.C., M.M., R.E.
(Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

John Jackson Low’s brother, David Brown Low, was born in Perth in 1898. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 17 May 1916. At the time of his enlistment, David claimed to be 18 years and 3 months old and was studying chemistry. Like his brother he was posted to the Special Brigade, but as a Pioneer, Regimental Number 220240, since unlike his brother John he did not have the educational background to be enlisted as a Corporal; that is, he had not yet received his degree.

His Descriptive Report on Enlistment indicates that David Low’s apparent age was 18 years and 8 months. He was 5 feet 7¾ inches tall and had a chest measurement, when fully expanded, of 34½ inches, with a range of expansion of 2½ inches.

The day following his enlistment he was posted to the Army Reserve and then on 10 October 1916 he was mobilized for service. On 15 October 1916 his Statement of Services[24] shows that he was “returned home under age,” Obviously he had lied about his age when he enlisted. He was recalled to duty on 8 January 1917 and was posted to the Special Brigade Depot, again as a Pioneer. On 30 March 1917 he was posted to France to serve in the 2^nd Battalion of the brigade.

Pioneer Low was transferred to the Class “Z” Army Reserve at Chatham on 6 February 1919. His Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity shows his birth year as 1898. His Medical Category was A-1 and his Specialist Military Qualification was “Officer Cadet.” For his service during the Great War he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Figure 6. The Medal Index Card of 220246 Pioneer D.B. Low, R.E.
(Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.)

James Brown Low, the older brother of John Jackson Low, was born on 30 November 1891 in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. As a young man he worked for the post office as a Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist.

On 8 June 1915 he was recruited for service in the Territorial Force (T.F.) and was found to be fit for military service. His attestation papers provided the following information about him at this time:

James was enlisted as a Sapper, Regimental Number 886, at Aberdeen for service in the 3/1^st Highland Divisional Signal Company, R.E. in the 51^st (Highland) Division (T.F.)[26] His experience as a Telegraphist in civil life made him a prime candidate for service in a Signal Company of the Royal Engineers.

After a short period of training, Sapper Low was sent to France to join his unit on 12 June 1915, just missing the Battle of Festubert which had been fought from 15-25 May 1915.

On 22 July 1916 Sapper Low was wounded in action. While repairing lines of communication at High Wood on the Somme, he was struck by pieces of shrapnel on the outer and lower third of his left thigh. He was treated at a casualty clearing station and on 27 July he was transferred to Dudley Road Stations of Birmingham Southern General Hospital for further treatment. He remained at the hospital for 12 weeks.

Low was transferred to the Army Reserve on 14 December 1916 in medical category “C”, indicating that he was free from serious organic diseases and was able to stand service in garrisons at home. On 1 February 1918 he was discharged from the Army for being “no longer physically fit for War Service.”

For his service in the Great War Sapper Low was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Figure 7. The Medal Index Card of 886, later 406460 Sapper J.B. Low, R.E.
(Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.)

In addition to these medals, Sapper Low was awarded the Silver War Badge for his wounds received during the war.

NOTE: The badge shown in Figure 8 is not that of Sapper Low. They are presented here for illustrative purposes only.

2. FOULKES, C.H. “GAS!” The Story of the Special Brigade. William Blackwood & Sons, Ltd., London, 1934. FOX, M.S. “CORPORALS ALL” With the Special Brigade, R.E., 1915-1919.

3. RICHTER, D. CHEMICAL SOLDIERS: British Gas Warfare in World War One. Leo Cooper, London, 1994.

4. The Long, Long Trail: Special Battalions and Companies of the Royal Engineers.

4. Military Service Papers of 2^nd Lieutenant John Jackson Low, R.E. WO 339/69689 (The National Archives – not digitized).

10. Chronological Outline of the Service of the 51^st Divisional Signal Company, R.E.

1. Battle Honours of the Royal Engineers. The Royal Engineers Journal. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1925-1932.

2. COOK, TIM (1999), "'A Proper Slaughter': The March 1917 Gas Raid at Vimy" (pdf). Canadian Military History, VIII (2), Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies: 7–24, ISSN 1195-8472, archived from the original on 4 March 2016, retrieved 25 July 2015.

[1] Ancestry.com Family Tree by lsh311.

[2] A James B. Low, 886 (and later 406460) Sapper, Royal Engineers served in the 51^st Divisional Signal Company, R.E. during the war. It has not been verified that this man was the brother of John Jackson Low, although the Royal Engineers familial connection may provide some proof.

[3] David Brown Low’s service papers were located at The National Archives. They provide positive proof that he also served in the Royal Engineers.

[4] The Long, Long Trail.

[7] Men without these qualifications were enlisted as Pioneers.

[8] FOULKES, C.H. in the Introduction to “Corporals All” by M.S. Fox.

[9] FOX, M.S. “Corporals All.”

[10] Without access to Low’s military service papers it could not be determined in which company he served at this time.

[12] RICHTER, D. “Chemical Soldiers.”

[13] Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

[14] FOULKES, C.H. “GAS!”

[15] Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 November 1916, p. 11059.

[16] Great War Forum message by “Moriaty.”

[17] Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

[18] FOULKES, C.H. and COOK, T.

[19] Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

[20] Pioneers were the less qualified men in the Special Companies whose work involved manual labor required to set up cylinders, mortars and projectors.

[21] Company War Diary.

[23] Medal Index Card.

[24] His Statement of Services also shows that in June 1918 he was serving for some time at the R.A.F. Cadet Depot in Hampstead.

[25] Snellen Visual Acuity Test.

[26] This company was later redesignated as the 51^st (Highland) Divisional Signal Company and Low’s Regimental Number would be changed to 406460.

1^st Battalion	2^nd Battalion
"A" Company: Sections 1-5	"E" Company: Sections 21-25
"B" Company: Sections 6-10	"F" Company: Sections 26-30
"C" Company: Sections 11-15	"G" Company: Sections 31-35
"D" Company: Sections 16-20	"H" Company: Sections 36-40
3^rd Battalion	4^th Battalion
"J" Company: Sections 41-45	“N" Company: Sections 61-65
"K" Company: Sections 46-50	"O" Company: Sections 66-70
"L" Company: Sections 51-55	"P" Company: Sections 71-75
"M" Company: Sections 56-60	"Q" Company: Sections 76-80


Figure 5. The Medals Awarded to 2^nd Lieutenant Low. (Images from the author’s collection)