Christopher Lawson
In 1901 Christopher was a barman and then in 1911 the publican of the Old Red Lion, 31 Lion Street, Nottingham, and at the time of his enlistment the licensee of the News House, Leen Side, Nottingham.
His sister, Rose Connor (formerly Watchorn née Lawson), ran the Loggerheads and his brother Michael, the White Horse Inn, Ruddington. Their father was publican at the 'Chelsea Pensioner', 32&34 Sussex Street, Nottingham, in 1891.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Christopher was the son of Michael and Harriet Lawson.
Michael and Harriet had at least six children: Rose b. 1870, Charles b. 1871, Michael b. 1873, Christopher (Christy) b. 1880-died 1881 (OND), William b. 1881/1882 and Christopher b. 1886.
In 1881 Michael (43), a lace maker, and Harriet (37), a lace finisher, were living at 25 Malt Mill Lane, Nottingham, with their children Rose (11), Charles (9), Michael (7) and Christy (1). The youngest child, Christy, died later that year.
By 1891 Christopher's father was a beer house keeper at 32&34 Sussex Street ('Chelsea Pensioner'), Nottingham. In the house on the night of the census were his wife and four of his five surviving children, Charles a barman, Michael a lace hand, William (9) and Christopher (4).
Michael snr. of Malt Mill-lane, died on 21 December 1893; the probate record gave his occupation as lace maker. Michael's widow, Harriet, married William Ayre Reddish in 1903 (OND); she died on 11 May 1917 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
Christopher married Katie O'Connor (born 9th August 1885) in 1906 (JFM Nottingham) and they had three children who were all born in Nottingham: Harriett b. 13 April 1906, Katie b 2 July 1907 and Christopher b. 11 August 1908
In 1911 the family was at the Old Red Lion, 31 Lion Street, Nottingham, where Christopher (25) held the license and Katie (26) was assisting in the business.
They were living at the 'News House', Leenside, Nottingham, when Christopher enlisted.
Christopher's eldest daughter, Harriett, married Richard Keward in 1924 (AMJ Nottingham) and died aged 73 in 1979 (Sep. Nottingham).
Pte. Lawson was called up for service and after training was drafted to France with the 1/5th Battalion Scots Fusiliers.
The Battalion was heavily involved in the final month's fighting as the German field army was pushed back from France. He was killed in action on 2 September 1918 and is buried in Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval (grave ref ll.F.22)
CWGC History of Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery (extract): the village of Bailleulval is about 13km from the town of Arras and the cemetery is about a mile from the village. 'The cemetery was made in March 1918 by the 7th, 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, but when the German advance began at the end of that month, their place was taken by field ambulances of the units fighting on the Arras front, notably the 31st Division and the Canadian Corps. In August and September, when the Germans had been pushed back, the 45th and 46th Casualty Clearing Stations were posted to the neighbourhood. ' (www.cwgc.org)
Two of Christopher's nephews also died in the war:
Christopher Watchorn 15745 Private, 11th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers (7 July 1916, Thiepval Memorial), the son of his sister, Rose Connor (b. 1870), (née Lawson formerly Watchorn).
Christopher Lawson KP/950 Able Seaman Anson Bn Royal Naval Division (13 November 1916, Thiepval Memorial), the son of his older brother, Michael (b. 1873) and his wife Jane.
See records on this Roll of Honour.
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave, headstone inscription: 'In loving memory of Harriett Reddish who died May 11th 1917 aged 73 years. Rest in Peace. Also of Lce. Cpl. Christopher Lawson, son of the above, died of wounds in France Sepr. 2nd 1918, aged 32 years (sic). Duty nobly done.'
Note: CWGC record has his rank as Private, but the inscription and the notices of his death give 'Lance Corporal'.
Poppies and a photograph of Christopher Lawson were left by the Loggerheads memorial in November 2014 in memory of him and also of Christopher Watchorn, 11th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action 7 July 1916. Christopher Watchorn was his nephew, the son of his sister, Rose Connor (formerly Watchorn).
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 14 May 1917: ‘Reddish. On May 11th Harriet Reddish (née Lawson) in her 73rd year, the beloved mother of Christopher Lawson, the News House, Leen-side. Rest in peace. Interment Thursday, 2.30, General Cemetery (top end). Son and wife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 14 May 1917: ‘Reddish. On May 11th Harriet Reddish (née Lawson) the beloved mother of Rose Connor, Loggerheads, Red Lion-street. Give her eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. R.I.P).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 17 September 1918:
'LAWSON. – Died of wounds, September 2nd, 1918, L.-Cpl. Christopher Lawson, R.S.F., the dearly loved husband of Kate Lawson, the News House, Leen-side. His heart was good, his spirit brave, his resting place a soldier's grave, but the unknown grave is the bitterest blow, none but aching hearts can know. – From his sorrowing wife and three children, Harriett, Kate, Chris.'
'LAWSON. – Died of wounds, September 2nd, 1918, Lce.-Cpl. Christopher Lawson, dearly beloved brother of Rose Conner, Loggerheads. One of the bravest, and one of the best, God grant him eternal rest. – From his sorrowing sister and family.'
'LAWSON. – Died of wounds, September 2nd, 1918, Lce.-Cpl. Christopher Lawson, R.S.F., beloved brother of Michael Lawson, White Horse Inn, Ruddington. Duty nobly done. – Michael, Jane and family.'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Following his death, Christopher's widow Katie was awarded a pension of 29 shillings and 7 pence a week; first payment 17 March 1919.
Christopher Lawson
Photograph left by the Loggerheads memorial in St Mary's church, November 2014. Photograph Rachel Farrand
Christopher Lawson and Christopher Watchorn
Poppies left by the Loggerheads memorial in memory of the two men, November 2014. Photograph Rachel Farrand
Christopher Lawson
Commonwealth War Grave Commission headstone marking his grave at Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleuval, Pas de Calais, France. Courtesy of Murray Biddle
Photo of Christopher Lawson
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (9 March 2026)
Photo of Christopher Lawson
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (9 March 2026)