John LAWSON
Year of Birth: 1890
Place of Birth: Townsville, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 1 November 1916
Date and Place of Embarkation: 18 May 1916, Sydney, New South Wales
Ship: HMAT Demosthenes A64
Rank: Private
Unit(s): 41st Infantry Battalion
Regimental Number: 217
Died: 27 August 1918
John Lawson was born in Townsville on the 26 October 1890 to William Lawson and Elizabeth Brothy and one of 7 children. Peter born 1882, Jane 1883, William 1885, George 1887, Elizabeth Ellen 1889 then John 1890 and Eveline Mary 1894.
His brother George also joined the army but was returned home for health problems. He died just a few months prior to John in 1918.
His mother Elizabeth Brothy died in 1895 and his father remarried in 1897 to Jane Henderson Robertson and they had 3 children. Annie Emily born 1898, Arthur William 1900 and Muriel Jane 1902.
John’s father William Lawson was a Master Mariner and Captain of the dredge “Trinity Bay” in Cairns. He died on the 6 April 1924 and buried in Martyn Street Cemetery with his son George.
His step mother Jane Henderson Robertson died 7 September 1924.
On his enlistment John Lawson was residing in Townsville, his age was 25, his occupation was a Ships Fireman and his next of kin was his father Mr W. Lawson, dredge “Trinity Bay” Cairns, this address later changed to Sheridon Street Cairns.
His height was 5 feet 4 inches, weighed 86 pounds with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He gave his religion as Presbyterian.
John Lawson was killed in action on the 27 August 1918 and buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, ½ mile North West of Longueval, near Albert, France.
Online Resources
Queensland Birth Death & Marriage Index
Photograph of the: HMAT Demothenes A64 , Australian War Memorial
NAA: B2455, John Lawson, National Archives of Australia NAA: B2455,
Lawson George, National Archives of Australia
AWM: Red Cross Wounded and Missing
Cairns Post 13 September 1918 p4
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