George Thomas LAWSON
Year of Birth: 1887
Place of Birth: Townsville, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 20 November 1915
Date and Place of Embarkation: 4 May 1916, Brisbane, Queensland
Ship: HMAT Seang Choon A49
Rank: Private
Unit(s): 25th Australian Infantry Battalion – 13 to 16 Reinforcements
Regimental Number: 5119
Died: 25 May 1918
George Lawson was born in Townsville on the 27 January 1887 to William Lawson and Elizabeth Brothy and one of 7 children. Peter born 1882, Jane 1883, William 1885, then George 1887, Elizabeth Ellen 1889, John 1890 and Eveline Mary 1894. His brother John was killed in action 27 August 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.
George’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 Martin Street Cemetery him.
On his enlistment in Townsville, George was 29 years 11 months, his occupation a Labourer and next of kin, his father Capt. W. Lawson, Cairns. His height was 5 feet 2 3/4 inches, weight 8 stone with fair complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. His religion was Presbyterian.
George arrived in France 29 September 1916 and in October 1916 was admitted to hospital. Because of his health problems George was returned to Australia for discharge on the hospital ship the Kanowna on the 8 March 1917 and died on the 25 May 1918. He was buried with his father in Martyn Street Cemetery.
Online Resources
Photograph of the HMAT Seang Choon A49, Australian War Memorial
NAA: B2455 Lawson George, National Archives of Australia
NAA: B2455 Lawson John, National Archives of Australia
National Library of Australia: Trove Digitised Newspapers
Queensland Registrar of Births Deaths & Marriages
Photograph of George found by Lynette Turner with thanks.
If you have a photograph or further information about this soldier you would like to share and add to his biography, please contact the Society at projects@cdfhs.org or leave a comment below. Thank you!