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Bacchus Marsh
Avenue of Honour

Driver John Aitkin Low

Service No.:
10540
Unit:
1st Divisional Ammunition Column
Tree No.:
S152
Planted by:
Mrs J A Johns
Image of plaque on tree S152 for John Aitkin Low
See Notes (1)
Image of Service Medal - British War Medal Image of Service Medal - Victory Medal

John was born in Dundee, Scotland on the 30th of November 1896 to Charles Low and Elizabeth Hessin(2)(3). John had two brothers, John Campbell and Charles, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

John was a labourer in Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, 13th Reinforcements, 1st Divisional Ammunition Column on the 15th of October 1915, aged 19. He embarked aboard the HMAT A19 Afric in January 1916 and disembarked in Egypt. In February he is posted to No. 2 Section and then appointed Driver before embarking from Alexandria, Egypt in March.

After disembarking at Marseilles, France, John was transferred to No. 4 Section in May 1916. In May 1917 John was admitted to hospital for a few days - trench fever. He was granted two weeks leave in England in late July, and again in March 1918. However in late December 1917 he was recommended for a Mention in Despatches while in the Small Arms Ammunition Section:-

...Drivers Tracey and Lowe [sic] showed marked coolness and devotion to duty. While proceeding to a forward position the rattle of the wagon drew heavy machine-gun and shell fire from the enemy, and to avoid casualties we were forced to unhook and abandon the wagon. We afterwards returned and bagged the wheels to deaden the sound, and delivered the load at the appointed position, still under fire…

Source: Recommendation for Mention in Despatches

John returned to England in April 1919 and embarked aboard the Nestor in May, returning to Australia in July and was discharged from the AIF in August.

John enlisted in the Australian Army at Charlton, VIC in 1942 - V362545 - and was a Private in the 15th Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps, Bendigo when discharged in 1945.

John died at Heidelberg, VIC in 1957, aged 60.

He is listed on the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour.

Notes

  1. Low is his correct name but in his Service Records he uses Lowe
  2. The indexes of BDM mention an Jane Parker Leslie.
  3. The family lived at Broadlands for a time.
    - The Bacchus Marsh Express 30 Oct 1915

Location of Tree Number S152

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Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.68485617820762, 144.46230841484459

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Last updated by lee, Sat, 28 Aug 2021 19:07:50