12 April 1938 – 5 August 2026
Arthur Lowe was born on 12 April 1938 in Rotherhithe, within sight and sound of the river that would shape his entire life. The son of a lighterman himself, Arthur left school at fourteen to begin his apprenticeship on the Thames, and by the time he qualified he could read the tide, the traffic, and the moods of the river better than most people read a book.
For over forty years Arthur worked the water, guiding barges of timber, grain, and general cargo between the Pool of London and the wharves further upstream. Watermen of his generation were a tight-knit, unshowy breed, and Arthur carried their values with him for the rest of his life: turn up on time, do the job properly, and look out for the fellow next to you.
In 1962 he married Margaret "Peggy" Ansell, and together they raised two children, Susan and Michael, in a small house near Richmond Bridge that Arthur was immensely proud of. Peggy predeceased him in 2019, after fifty-seven years of marriage, and Arthur missed her every single day that followed.
Retirement in the early 2000s didn't slow him down much. He took on an allotment plot behind the recreation ground and turned it into something close to a local legend, with prize marrows most autumns and a standing offer of runner beans to anyone who walked past looking half-interested. He kept wicket for the village cricket team's veterans' side well into his seventies, and after that could still be found most Saturdays in a deckchair by the boundary, offering opinions on the bowling that nobody had asked for but everybody enjoyed.
In his workshop at the bottom of the garden, Arthur built painstaking scale models of the barges and lighters he'd spent his working life aboard, several of which now sit in the clubhouse of the rowing club he supported for decades. He also never lost his love of fishing, and could recite, in detail, the story of every notable catch he ever landed, and quite a few he didn't.
Arthur is survived by his children Susan and Michael, four grandchildren, and a great-grandchild he doted on outrageously. He will be remembered by everyone who knew him as steady, funny, endlessly kind, and entirely at home on the river.
Family flowers only, please. Those who would like to make a donation in Arthur's memory are asked to consider the RNLI, a cause close to the heart of a man who spent his whole life on the water.
Everything you need to know to join us.
A service of thanksgiving for Arthur's life, followed by a private family committal. All are warmly welcome to join us in celebrating a life so well lived on the river.
Thames Chapel
14 Water Lane, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1TJ
Dress code
Colour is welcome and warmly encouraged. Arthur was never one for black.Will you be there?
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35 people are planning to attend
Join us for drinks, sandwiches, and no doubt a few tall fishing stories, at Arthur's local by the river. Everyone who knew him is welcome.
The Waterman's Arms
22 Water Lane, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1TF
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Smart casualWill you be there?
Letting the arranger know helps them plan for the day.
29 people are planning to attend
Susan Lowe is arranging this funeral.
Donations in memory of Arthur Lowe.
Make a donation →9 memories · Leave a few words, no account needed
Dad taught me to tie a bowline before I could tie my shoelaces. He was endlessly patient, always exactly where you needed him to be, and the softest touch behind that gruff exterior. I'll miss our Sunday phone calls more than I can say.
Dad's allotment became the place to be on a Sunday once he retired, we'd load the kids in the car and go help him lose the war against the slugs. He always sent us home with more runner beans than any family could eat. Miss you already, Dad.
Worked alongside Arthur on the barges for the best part of twenty years. Never met a steadier hand or a better mate to have on a bad tide. The river won't feel the same without him.
Kept wicket for us right up into his seventies, and heckled the umpires for a good decade after that too. We'll raise a glass to you at the clubhouse, Arthur, exactly like you'd want.
Nobody's marrows ever came close to Arthur's, and he knew it too, the old devil. He left a bag of runner beans on my step the week before he went into hospital. Typical Arthur, thinking of everyone else first.
Such a warm, funny, generous man. Peggy and Arthur's kitchen table was where half the street ended up on a Sunday afternoon. Sending all our love to Susan and Michael.
Grandad used to let me steer his little rowing boat on the river when I was small, even though I'm fairly sure that wasn't allowed. He made everything feel like an adventure. Love you always, Grandad.
A lovely, kind neighbour for over thirty years. Arthur would always stop for a chat over the fence and never once forgot to ask after my mother. He will be so greatly missed on our road.
Spent more hours than I can count sat next to Arthur on the riverbank, saying almost nothing and catching even less between us. Best fishing companion a man could ask for. Tight lines, old friend.
Funeral Service
Sat 22 Aug · 11:00 AM
Wake
Sat 22 Aug · 1:00 PM