JAMES LAWSON, Pte 3032A, 48th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)

Photo taken from "Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire", Page 107.

ST. JULIEN DRESSING STATION CEMETERY, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Netherburn War Memorial.

The family headstone in Larkhall Cemetery is inscribed:
"Erected by William Lawson in loving memory of his son Adam d. 9th Nov. 1906 aged 37y. Also his wife Marion Hamilton d. 26th June 1907 aged 65y. The above William Lawson who died 27th Feb 1908 aged 72y. Also his son Stephen who died 7th July 1909 aged 33y. Also his son JAMES, Killed in Action in France 12th October 1917 aged 44y and his daughter-in-law Marion Halley who died 10th Nov 1932 aged 63y. Also her husband William Lawson who died 27th March 1935 aged 64y".

JAMES LAWSON, Pte 3032A, 48th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.), is NOT named on the Larkhall War Memorial.
There is a JAMES LAWSON named on the Netherburn War Memorial, but there is no Regiment or Battalion information to identify this man as the same JAMES LAWSON.

JAMES LAWSON was born at Hill Farm, Dalserf, Lanarkshire, on 9th January, 1873.
[Note: Note: Hill Farm and Old Hill Farm were located near The Marlage and The High Toll, Canderside, Parish of Dalserf.]

His parents were William Lawson, a Waggon Driver, and Marion Hamilton, who were married at Hill Farm, Dalserf, on 21st August, 1868.
His paternal grandparents were Adam Lawson, a Weaver, and Margaret Dechmont.
His maternal grandparents were Adam Hamilton, a Farmer, and Ann Muir.

The 1871 DALSERF Census was taken on 3rd April, 1871.
The family are listed at Hill Farm, Dalserf, as follows:
William Lawson, age 34, Head, Carter, b Broughton, Peebles.
Marion Lawson, age 29, Wife, b Dalserf.
Adam Lawson, age 1, Son, b Dalserf.
William Lawson, age 2 months, Son, b Dalserf.

The 1881 DALSERF Census was taken on 4th April, 1881.
The family are listed at Old Hill Farm, Dalserf, as follows:
William Lawson, age 44, Head, Coal Pitheadman, b Broughton, Peebles.
Marion Lawson, age 39, Wife, b Dalserf.
Adam Lawson, age 11, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf.
William Lawson, age 10, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf.
JAMES LAWSON, age 8, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf.
Stephen Lawson, age 5, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf.
Ann M. Lawson, age 2 months, Daughter, b Dalserf.

The 1891 DALSERF Census was taken on 5th April, 1891.
The family are listed at Old Hill Farm, Dalserf, as follows:
William Lawson, age 55, Head, Labourer, b Broughton, Peebles.
Marion Lawson, age 49, Wife, b Dalserf.
Adam Lawson, age 21, Son, Labourer, b Dalserf.
William Lawson, age 20, Son, Engine Keeper, b Dalserf.
Stephen Lawson, age 15, Son, Apprentice Joiner, b Dalserf.
Ann Lawson, age 10, Daughter, Scholar, b Dalserf.

JAMES LAWSON, age 18, Nephew, Farm Labourer, b Dalserf, is listed at Hill Farm, Dalserf, working and living with his uncle Adam Hamilton.

The 1901 DALSERF Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at Old Hill Farm, Dalserf, as follows:
William Lawson, age 65, Head, Retired Engine Keeper, b Broughton, Peebles.
Marion Lawson, age 59, Wife, b Dalserf.
Adam Lawson, age 31, Son, Road Foreman, b Dalserf.
JAMES LAWSON, age 28, Son, Grocer's Shop Keeper, b Dalserf.

On 25th March, 1904, JAMES LAWSON, age 31, a Coalpit Labourer of Old Hill Farm, Dalserf, married Margaret Stevenson Jamieson, age 30, a Domestic Servant of Millburn Chemical Works Cottage, Dalserf, at Millburn Chemical Works Cottage, Dalserf.

On 23rd April, 1904, a daughter Ann Lawson was born at Millburn Chemical Works Cottage, Dalserf.

On 1st June, 1905, a son William Lawson was born at Rosebank, Dalserf.

On 18th May, 1907, a son John Jamieson Lawson was born at Rosebank, Dalserf.

On 26th June, 1907, his mother Marion Hamilton or Lawson, age 65, died at Old Hill Farm, Dalserf.

On 27th February, 1908, his father William Lawson, age 72, died at Hill Farm Cottage, Dalserf.

On 1st October, 1909, a daughter Marian Hamilton Lawson, was born at Rosebank, Dalserf.

JAMES LAWSON and his family emigrated to Australia after the birth of his daughter Marian.
I cannot find any records to show the exact dates.

His Service Record has survived and it shows:
He enlisted on 8th September, 1916, at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia.
He was 42 years and 3 months old, and 5 ft 8 inches tall.
His wife is shown as his Next-of-Kin residing at 86 York Road, Midland Junction, Western Australia.
He embarked with his Battalion from Freemantle on 9th November, 1916, and disembarked at Devonport on 10th January, 1917.
On 29th May, 1917, he went to France.
On 10th August, 1917, he was wounded by a Gun Shot Wound to his hand and admitted to No 4 Australian Field Ambulance.
On 6th September, 1917, he rejoined his Battalion.
JAMES LAWSON was Killed-In-Action on 12th October, 1917, age 44.

His family are listed for Pension purposes, as follows:
Margaret Stevenson Jamieson Lawson, Widow, 40/- fortnightly from 7th January, 1918.
William Lawson, Son, 20/- fortnightly from 7th January, 1918.
John Jamieson Lawson, Son, 15/- fortnightly from 7th January, 1918.
Marion Hamilton Lawson, Daughter, 10/- fortnightly from 7th January, 1918.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for JAMES LAWSON shows that he is buried at ST. JULIEN DRESSING STATION CEMETERY, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.
There are 248 identified casualties buried at ST. JULIEN DRESSING STATION CEMETERY.

JAMES LAWSON is commemorated at The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) in Edinburgh Castle.

The Service Record for JAMES LAWSON shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

The family headstone in Larkhall Cemetery is inscribed:
"Erected by William Lawson in loving memory of his son Adam d. 9th Nov. 1906 aged 37y. Also his wife Marion Hamilton d. 26th June 1907 aged 65y. The above William Lawson who died 27th Feb 1908 aged 72y. Also his son Stephen who died 7th July 1909 aged 33y. Also his son JAMES, Killed in Action in France 12th October 1917 aged 44y and his daughter-in-law Marion Halley who died 10th Nov 1932 aged 63y. Also her husband William Lawson who died 27th March 1935 aged 64y".

A portrait of JAMES LAWSON is attached.
It is taken from "Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire", Page 107.
The text reads:
"Private James Lawson (3032), 48th Battalion, son of the late William and Marion Lawson, was born and educated in Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was married on the 25th March, 1903, to Margaret Jamieson, and they have three children. He enlisted in September, 1916, and went into Blackboy Camp attached to the 48th Battalion. He embarked for England on the 9th November, 1916, arriving there in January, 1917. He crossed to France in May, 1917, and was in action until the 12th October, 1917, when he made the supreme sacrifice".

Lest We Forget!

Page 1 of his Service Record.