Basic Biographical Details

Name:	James Hood Wilson Lownie
Designation:
Born:	19 June 1887
Died:
Bio Notes:	James Hood Wilson Lownie was born on 19 June 1887, the youngest son of John Lownie, builder and contractor, and his wife Charlotte Reid. Like his brothers he was educated at George Watson's College. He was articled as a joiner to James Tait, builder, of Penicuik and later spent some time in a quantity surveyor's office. He went to Ceylon to obtain some practical building experience, working on the Galle Face Hotel in 1911. During World War I he joined the 2nd/4th Royal scots but was employed in the Chief Engineer's office at Scottish Command in North Bridge in Edinburgh. He was commissioned in the Royal Engineers (TA) in 1915 and promoted to Lieutenant in 1917. He served in France briefly with the 91st Field Company of the 15th Division but developed appendicitis and was evacuated in July 1918. He was demobbed in January 1919 and returned to work in the family firm. The family firm was wound up in 1945. He did not agree with the working methods of his older brother as he wanted to modernise them. He tried to strike out on his own but this was not a success and he returned to the family firm on a lower salary. During the Second World War he worked for various large contractors involved in war work.

Employment and Training

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
	Name	Date from	Date to	Position	Notes
	John Lownie & Sons			Assistant

The following archives hold material relating to this :
	Source	Archive Name	Source Catalogue No.	Notes
	Courtesy of Andrew Lownie	Information sent per contact page on website		Sent August 2009. Family history notes compiled by Ralph Lownie (1924-2007).