Lawson, David

Gunner David Lawson

Royal Field Artillery

1917  - April 17.

MR AND MRS ANDREW LAWSON, North British Railway Station House, Peebles, received a field post card from their eldest son, Gunner DAVID LAWSON, Royal Field Artillery, stating that he had been

admitted to a hospital in France on 7th April, suffering from wounds due to the explosion of a shell. Subsequent information was received stating that he had been brought over from Boulogne to Orpington, Kent, and placed in the Ontario (Canadian) Military Hospital.

Gunner Lawson's parents were informed of the critical turn his sufferings had taken, and left for Orpington without a moment's delay, but arrived too late to see their son in life, he having passed away on the 17th April. Gunner Lawson, who was 22 years of age, previous to enlisting in August I9I4, was employed as a motor mechanic with Peebles Motor Company. He took part in Suvla Bay operations, and, previous to going to France, was in Egypt for some time. His brother Alexander joined the Scots Guards.

The funeral took place on Saturday, 2lst April, and there were many dim eyes among the crowds that saw passing to their last resting-place the remains of the brave-hearted young townsman and

soldier. The ranks of the civilian mourners were swelled by the wounded soldiers from the Military Hospitals at Morelands and Kingsland, and by a very fine turnout of the Boy Scouts, of which organisation Gunner Lawson had been a member since boyhood.  The young soldiers who carried the remains from the house to the hearse and again to the grave were wounded soldiers of Gunner

Lawson's own regiment, billeted in Peebles, who requested that such a favour should be conferred on them.

There is mist on the shieling, mist on the shore ;

Though trumpets are pealing, our brave come no more;

We hear not their footsteps in cottage and hall;

Their smile once evanished time cannot recall;

The linnets may sing from the ridges of gold.

They quiet not the bleating of sheep in the fold;

The fair earth may robe in her bridal dress,

But gone is the vision of loveliness;

The streams, silver-pebbled, will race to the sea,

Though time's sweetest flowers have perished for me.

Till its last hour is fled, love's bright fires shall burn

For the dear Scottish laddies who never return.

Source: The Book of Remembrance for Tweeddale – Peebles Book 1 - Pages 111 and 112

Name: LAWSON, DAVID 

Initials: D

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Gunner

Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery

Age: 21

Date of Death: 17/04/1917

Service No: 93424

Additional information: Son of Andrew Lawson, of "Abbotsneak," March St., Peebles.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: 628.

Cemetery: PEEBLES CEMETERY