Christopher Lawson
Christopher was a labourer employed by a cardboard box maker in 1911 but was a window cleaner before enlisting in 1914.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Christopher was the son of Michael and Jane Lawson (née Hinton).
Michael and Jane (b. 1873 JAS Nottingham) were married at Nottingham St Peter's church on 3 August 1891. Michael gave his age as 21 (b. 1870) but the only birth registration record found for a Michael Lawson in the right period is 1873 (AMJ) as borne out by the 1881 Census when he was 7 years old.
Michael and Jane had 15 children of whom only eight were still living in 1911. Nine children were named on the census between 1901 and 1911: Harriet b. 1891 (OND) d. 1909 (JAS), Christopher b. 19 March 1894, Michael b. abt 1895, Jane b. abt 1897, Robert b. 1898 (AMJ), Ernest b. 1901 (AMJ), William b. 1903 (JAS), Albert b. 1906 (OND) and Rose birth registered 1909 (JFM). All the children were born in Nottingham.
In 1901 Michael (27), a lace maker, and Jane (27) were living at 6 Temple Place, Nottingham, with their five children, Harriet (9), Christopher (7), Michael (5), Jane (4) and Robert (2). Their daughter Rose was born in 1909 but their eldest child, Harriet, died later that year aged 17.
By 1911 Michael was the publican of the King's Head Inn at 100 Lion Street, Nottingham, and his wife was assisting in the business. In the home on the night of the census were their surviving children: Christopher (17) a labourer for a cardboard box maker, Michael (15) a labourer, Jane (14) an errand girl for a cardboard box maker, Robert (12), Ernest (9), William (7), Albert (4) and Rose (2).
Christopher's RN record names his mother, Jane, of the Minstrel Tavern, St Mark Street, Nottingham, as the relative notified of his death in 1916. However, the 'In Memoriam' notice for Christopher published in the local paper in 1917 recorded that Christopher was 'late of the White Horse, Ruddington'.
According to the Royal Naval Division Index 1914-1919 held by the National Archive, Christopher was formerly in the Northumberland Fusiliers.
He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 7 September 1914 but was transferred to the Royal Naval Division three days later. Posted as a reinforcement to the Nelson Battalion, he landed at Gallipoli on 20 August 1915. He transferred to Anson Battalion on 21 March 1916, and was killed in action on 13 November the same year during the Battle of the Ancre.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 1 A).
Christopher qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The family lost two other relatives in the war: Christopher Watchorn, the son of Michael Lawson's sister, Rose Connor (formerly Watchorn née Lawson), and Christopher Lawson, Michael's younger brother.
Christopher Watchorn: 15745 Private, 11th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, died 7 July 1916 (Thiepval Memorial).
Christopher Lawson: 43426 Private, 1/5th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers, died 2 September 1918 (Bac-du-Sud British Cemetery Bailleulval).
See records on this Roll of Honour.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 13 November 1917:
LAWSON. – Killed in action, November 13th, 1916, Private Christopher Lawson, aged 23 years, late White Horse, Ruddington. – From sorrowing father, mother, sisters, and brothers.”
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Photo of Christopher Lawson
Thiepval Memorial,