Roland Rawson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Rowland (spelling as 1901/1911 census) was the son of George Rawson and Emily Rawson (nee Gregory). His parents were married in Nottingham in 1891 (J/F/M). George was born abt. 1871 in New Whittingham, Derbyshire, while Emily was born in Sneinton, Nottingham. At the time of the 1911 Census George and Emily had been married for 20 years and had had ten children of whom nine were still living. Nine children were named on the census of 1901 and 1911; Harriett, George, Rowland, Charles (Charley), Chris, Ann, Thomas, Elsie Emily and Ada. One child's name, Catherine, was deleted from the 1911 census and annotated 'dead'. In 1901 George (30), a coal miner/hewer, and Emily (29) were living at 13 Salisbury Terrace, Hawthorne Street, Meadows, with their five children; Harriett (9), George (7), Rowland (5), Charley (3) and Chris (9 months). By 1911 they were living at 24 Briar Street, Meadows; George was working at Clifton Colliery. In the household on the night of the census were seven of their children; Rowland (15), Charles (13, printer), Chris (10), Ann (9), Thomas (7), Elsie (2) and Ada (11 months). Roland's mother, Emily Rawson of 66 Kings Meadow Road, Meadows, was notified of her son's death. His brother, 19007 Corporal George Rawson RFA, was killed in action on 28 July 1917 (Canada Farm Cemetery) leaving a wife and two daughters.
Ex-15786 Private Notts & Derby Regiment, he transferred to RMLI short-service 16 September 1914. He embarked RM Brigade 22 November 1914. Portsmouth Bn. Mediterranean Exeditionary Force from 28 February 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. RND Casualties of the Great War: 'All Portsmouth Bn. casualties recorded by the CWGC as died on the 6th of May 1915 were most likely killed in the charge up Razor-Back Hill, Monash Valley, on 3 May 1915, but may have been killed at Anzac beachhead on any date between 28/4/15 and 3/5/15.' Rawson was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).'
Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged) 9 June 1915: (1) Pte R RAWSON RMLI of 86(?) Kings Meadow Road, [Meadows] Nottingham killed in action May 28 (sic) age 20. (2) RAWSON killed in action, Pte Roland Rawson, Royal Marines, aged 20 years, son of Emily and George Rawson of 86(?) Kings Meadow Road [Meadows]
