Christopher Lawson

Christopher was the son of Michael and Harriet Lawson. Michael and Harriet had at least six children: Rose b. 1870, Charles b. 1871, Michael b. 1873, Christopher (Christy) b. 1880-died 1881 (O/N/D), William b. 1881/1882 and Christopher b. 1886. In 1881 Michael (43), a lace maker, and Harriet (37), a lace finisher, were living at 25 Malt Hill Lane, Nottingham, with their children Rose (11), Charles (9), Michael (7) and Christy (1). The youngest child, Christy, died later that year. By 1891 Christopher's father was a beer house keeper at 32&34 Sussex Street ('Chelsea Pensioner'), Nottingham. In the house on the night of the census were his wife and four of his five surviving children, Charles a barman, Michael a lace hand, William (9) and Christopher (4). Christopher married Katie O'Connor (born 9th August 1885) in 1906 (J/F/M Nottingham) and they had three children, Harriett b. 13 April 1906 (A/M/J Nottingham), Katie b 2nd July 1907 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Christopher b. 11th August 1908 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1911 the family was at the Old Red Lion at 31 Lion Street, Nottingham, where Christopher (25) held the license and Katie (26) was assisting in the business. They were living at the 'News House', Leenside, Nottingham, when Christopher enlisted. Christopher's eldest daughter Harriett married Richard Keward in 1924 (A/M/J Nottingham) and died aged 73 in 1979 (Sep Nottingham). Two of Christopher's nephews also died in the war: Christopher Watchorn 15745 Private, 11th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers (7 July 1916, Thiepval Memorial), the son of his sister, Rose Connor (formerly Watchorn, nee Lawson), and Christopher Lawson KP/950 Able Seaman Anson Bn Royal Naval Division (13 November 1916, Thiepval Memorial), the son of his brother, Michael. Following his death his widow Katie was awarded a pension of 29 shillings and 7 pence a week which commenced on 17th March 1919.

In 1901 Christopher was a barman and then in 1911 the publican of the Old Red Lion, 31 Lion Street, Nottingham, and at the time of his enlistment the licensee of the News House, Leen Side, Nottingham. His sister, Rose Connor (formerly Watchorn), ran the Loggerheads and his brother Michael, the White Horse Inn, Ruddington. Their father was publican at the 'Chelsea Pensioner', 32&34 Sussex Street, Nottingham, in 1891.

Pte. Lawson was called up for service and after training he was drafted to France. His battalion were heavily involved in the final month's fighting as the German field army was pushed back from France. He was killed in action on 02/09/1918 and buried in Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval (grave ref ll.F.22)

Poppies and a photograph of Christopher Lawson were left by the Loggerheads memorial in November 2014 in memory of Christopher Lawson and Christopher Watchorn, 11th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action 7 July 1916. Christopher Watchorn was his nephew, the son of his sister, Rose Connor (formerly Watchorn). Death notices published 17th September 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “LAWSON. – Died of wounds, September 2nd, 1918, L.-Cpl. Christopher Lawson, R.S.F., the dearly loved husband of Kate Lawson, the News House, Leen-side. His heart was good, his spirit brave, his resting place a soldier's grave, but the unknown grave is the bitterest blow, none but aching hearts can know. – From his sorrowing wife and three children, Harriett, Kate, Chris. “LAWSON. – Died of wounds, September 2nd, 1918, Lce.-Cpl. Christopher Lawson, dearly beloved brother of Rose Conner, Loggerheads. One of the bravest, and one of the best, God grant him eternal rest. – From his sorrowing sister and family. “LAWSON. – Died of wounds, September 2nd, 1918, Lce.-Cpl. Christopher Lawson, R.S.F., beloved brother of Michael Lawson, White Horse Inn, Ruddington. Duty nobly done. – Michael, Jane and family.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918