Arthur Lowe

The youngest of two sons of Birmingham MP and solicitor Sir Francis Lowe - the First Baronet Lowe of Edgbaston - Arthur Lowe followed in his father’s footsteps into the legal profession. Arthur’s oldest brother Gordon was also a top-class tennis player and was the more successful of the two.

Lowe appeared at Wimbledon 19 times between 1906 and 1929. His best performance in the singles was in 1910 when he reached the semi-final before losing in four sets to the American Beals Wright. Lowe twice reached the All-comers’ doubles final with his brother, losing to the Australasian pair Norman Brookes and Anthony Wilding, the eventual champions, in 1914 and in 1921, again with brother Gordon, when they lost to the British pair Randolph Lycett and Max Woosnam, who also went on to win the title. Lowe reached the final of the British Covered Court championship at Queen’s Club in 1910 but lost to his brother in the final. He then enjoyed the most successful spell of his career in 1911-12, winning tournaments at Edgbaston, Tunbridge Wells, Eastbourne and Scarborough. He also made his Davis Cup début in 1911 and in 1912 represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games, taking part in the indoor singles and doubles (again with his brother), but he finished equal fifth in each competition.

During World War I Lowe served as a Major in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and the Royal Sussex Light Infantry and was honoured with Victory and British medals and the 1915 Star.