James Lowry was born in Northern Ireland on July 5, 1916, the son of John Lowry and Annie (nee Park) Lowry, both of Belfast, Ireland. James Lowry came to Canada approximately seven years prior to his death. He had 7 brothers–four were in Ireland, one was in Pittsburg, Pa., and two were in Vancouver, B.C.– and two sisters, both living in Ireland. Prior to enlisting, James was employed at the Mueller Limited plant in Sarnia. He would marry Pauline E. Lowry (nee Sayers), and they would reside on Exmouth Street, in Sarnia. James and Pauline had one daughter together, Judith Anne Lowry, born January 13, 1943 at Sarnia General Hospital. The family would move to R.R. #1 London Road, later 255 south Brock street, Sarnia.
At wartime, James enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He received his initial training at Toronto, elementary instruction at Crumlin, and service flying at Dunnville. He graduated and received his wings at Rockcliffe in December 1941 and was appointed staff pilot at Dafoe, Saskatchewan where he was stationed for eight months. He then went overseas in November 1942, as a member of RCAF #185 Squadron “Ara Fejn Hu” (Look where it is) and was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class I-Pilot, effective June 23, 1943.
James Lowry had been in the air force for about 2 ½ years, last stationed in the Middle East, as a Spitfire pilot. On July 2, 1943, only days before his 28th birthday, Warrant Officer I-Pilot James Lowry would lose his life when his Spitfire aircraft EN404 went missing during an operational flight twenty miles south of Sicily. In August of 1943, Pauline Lowry in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing her that her husband, Flight Sergeant James Lowry, has been reported missing on active service in the Middle East.
In early December of 1944, Pauline Lowry, would receive information from Ottawa informing her that (though presumed dead) her husband, Flight Sergeant James Lowry, has been promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer, Class One, effective June 23, 1943. James Lowry would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas (Sicily). James Lowry would leave behind his wife Pauline and their young daughter Judith Anne. Twenty-seven year old James Lowry has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Malta War Memorial, Malta, Panel 10, Column 2.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, M, N, 2C, 2D