Christopher Lawson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Christopher was the son of Michael and Jane Lawson nee Hinton. Michael and Jane (b. 1873 J/A/S 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 (A/M/J) 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 (O/N/D Nottingham)-died 1909 (J/A/S Nottingham), Christopher b. 19 March 1894, Michael b. abt 1895, Jane b. abt 1897, Robert b. 1898 (A/M/J Nottingham), Ernest b. 1901 (A/M/J Nottingham), William b. 1903 (J/A/S Nottingham), Albert b. 1906 (O/N/D Nottingham) and Rose birth registered 1909 J/F/M 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). Harriet died eight years later in 1909 at the age of 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 eight 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 notice of Christopher's death in the local paper recorded that Christopher was 'late of the White Horse, Ruddington'. The family lost two other relatives in the war: Christopher Watchorn, the son of his father's sister, Rose Connor formerly Watchorn nee Lawson, and Christopher Lawson, his father'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).
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 7th 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 20th August 1915. Transferring to Anson Battalion on 21st March 1916, he was killed in action during the Battle of the Ancre. He has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
In memoriam notice published 13th November 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- 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 is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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