Cyril Lowe
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Group Captain Cyril Nelson "Kit" Lowe MC DFC (7 October 1891 — February 6 1983) was an English rugby union footballer, First World War flying ace, and supposedly the inspiration for W. E. Johns' character "Biggles"
Lowe was born in Holbeach, Lincolnshire and became a triple Cambridge blue. Lowe, playing for Blackheath, played in the England side of 1913 and 1914, which won back-to-back Five Nation Grand Slams.
At the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 he joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), and flew with them. He was awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He was credited with nine victories.
He was wounded in action on 24 March 1917.
The citation for his DFC read:
- This officer has destroyed five enemy machines and driven down two others out of control. On one occasion he attacked two enemy triplanes, although at the time only one of his guns was serviceable; he shot down one of the machines in flames. On another occasion, while leading a formation of eight scouts he engaged a hostile formation of twenty-six machines. Having shot down a Fokker biplane he went to the assistance of one of our scouts and drove the enemy machine down to 500 feet; at this low altitude half of a blade of his propeller was shot off by fire from the ground. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 August 1918
The citation for his MC read:
- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer and another pilot were escorting a formation of machines engaged on a bombing raid when seven enemy scouts attacked the bombers. They both attacked these scouts, but at the outset this officer's machine was set on fire, and the other pilot's right hand top plane broke. During the fight that ensued each came to the rescue of the other. The other pilot first caused Capt. Lowe's pursuer to break off his attack, and then Capt. Lowe shot down the scout attacking his comrade. The action of both these officers, in practically unmanoeuvrable machines, in coming to the rescue of each other in turn, showed courage and self-sacrifice of a very high order. Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918.
On the cessasion of hostilities in 1918 and then in 1920, Lowe returned to play for England. He retired from international rugby in 1923 with 25 caps, and would have gained more were it not for the war. He died aged 92.
His career total 18 tries remained an English record until it was equalled and later surpassed by Royal Air Force pilot Rory Underwood in 1989, 66 years after Lowe's retirement. It has subsequently been achieved by other players.
External links
- Planet-Rugby bio (http://www.planet-rugby.com/stats/players/player_details.phtml?playerCode=ELO6)
- Aerodrome (http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/lowe1.html)