George Henry Lawton

Father: James Lawton, born in 1859 at Newark, working as a general labourer. Mother: Fanny Lawton, born in 1861 at Cropwell Butler, Notts. Brothers:James Edward, born in 1890 at Grimsby, working as a printer, Percy, born in 1895 at Grimsby, working as a milkman and Herbert, born in 1902 at Lenton, Nottingham. Sisters: Edith Anne, born in 1883, at Bath, Somerset, working as a lace mender, Gerty, born in 1889 at Grimsby and Florae, born in 1904 in Lenton, Nottingham. George Henry Lawton, born in 1888, worked as a lace maker. The family lived at 1 Middleton Row, Lenton, Nottingham before moving to 61 Bradgate Road, Forest Fields, Nottingham. George Henry married Ethel Cockayne (born 8th December 1891) in 1912 at Nottingham, they lived at 61 Bradgate Road, Nottingham, they had a son George Henry Lawton born 15th January 1915. Commencing 26th May 1919 his widow was awarded a pension of 20 shillings and 5 pence a week.

George Henry Lawton worked as a lace maker.

Pte. Lawton was posted to the Devonshire Regiment for training, but at some point his health was not seen as robust enough for front line service. he was transferred to the London District Labour Centre, Labour Corps, No. 135840. It seems unlikely that he saw service abroad, but he died soon after the end of the fighting on 19/11/1918, at Ashford Military Hospital of influenza aged 31 years. He was buried at the General Cemetery, Nottingham.

In memoriam published 19th November 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- LAWTON. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. George Henry Lawton, who died of influenza at Ashford Military Hospital, Kent, November 19th, 1918. With aching hearts we shook his hand, tears glistened in our eyes, we wished him luck, but never thought it was his last good-bye. – From loving wife Ethel and sonny. Not forgotten by mother and father-in-law and family.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918