An important album of World War I photographs and a partial diary transcript relating to Lance Bombardier John Poole Lowry, 26th Battery, 4th New Zealand Field Regiment who was killed in action at El Alamein 24 October 1942 aged 27, the closely typed diary, sadly missing some pages, details the Western Desert battles in which Lowry and the 4th Field Regt took part, the diary was almost certainly transcribed by someone from his unit who found his diary and transcribed it and returned it to the family with his photos and effects. It commences during his training in New Zealand and concludes at his death. It includes his embarkation as well as the actions at Minqar Qaim, the defeat of the Italian Ariete Armoured division, Ruweisat Ridge, Tell El Eisa and El Alamein. Also included is a very poignant original poem by Lowry about the loss suffered when a soldier dies – somewhat foreboding as he died a short time later, the photograph album was sent by Lowry to his wife Ruth a month before his death, the family have used it to store his photographs of the Western Desert and his war. 60906 Lance Bombardier John Poole Lowry originally from Dunedin was a student at Otago Boys high school before settling in Paeroa, south of Auckland – where he lived with his wife Ruth. He embarked in June 1941 and served in north Africa. He survived Minqar Qaim in June 1942 as well as the other major desert conflicts – all of which he details in his diary, the day before his death Lowry’s battery had heavily shelled the Panzers at El Alamein without great success. His death is not detailed in any histories but it is presumed his gun was either over-run or sustained a hit from enemy aircraft or fire. He is buried at El Alamein Cemetery. Estimate