Name
John William Lawton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/09/1917
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
37666
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
64th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VOORMEZEELE ENCLOSURES NO.1 AND NO.2
I. H. 29.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
Son of Rosina/Rose (nee HICKMAN) LAWTON of Watford, and the late John William LAWTON.
His parents married 5 May 1888 at St Mary’s, Watford. John died 1895 in Watford aged 27, and was buried 4 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Rosina died 1951 in Watford aged 86, and was buried 26 October, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
John was born 8 July 1888 in Watford, and baptised 12 October 1888 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended first Sotheron Road Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 13 January 1896 to 26 March 1902.
On the 1891 Census, aged 2 he lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1901 Census, aged 12 he still lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a window cleaner aged 22, he still lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and three siblings.
Recorded as born in Watford and enlisted there.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford, and was formerly Private 23636 Bedfordshire Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and died at 133 Field Ambulance of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, John’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. There is an article about John in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 8 December 1917.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
