| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Richard Ernest Lawson, born 1884 in Beverley, was the son of James and Elizabeth Ann Lawson (nee Wallis), who married in 1872 in Beverley. In 1881 his parents were living in St Mary's Terrace, Beverley, but by 1891 had moved to Westwood Road, Beverley. Robert had three living siblings: Wilfrid James who became a clerk at the cement works, Harry William who became a clothier/shop assistant and Robert W who became a commercial traveller.
At age 16 Richard was a gardener's assistant working for his father James, a florist, seedsman and gardener based at Westwood Road, Beverley. In 1905 when Richard signed the attestation form for the Coldstream Guards it indicated that he had been a butcher prior to enlisting. Richard was in the 1st Lincolnshire Battalion (regular army) where his rank was private in 1911 and 1918, Acting Sergeant in 1921, and a Sergeant in 1925. He served in Ceylon and India during 1911. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Richard married Dorothy Sladdin in 1919, and they had a daughter Betty (1921-2006). In Sep 1925, aged 40 Richard died in Louth, Lincolnshire. His wife went on to marry twice more, in 1927 and 1937
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |