William Lawson
1864 - 1943
1864 - 1943
Colonel The Hon. William Arnold Webster Levy Lawson was born in 1864, the second son of Edward Levy Lawson, 1st Baron Burnham, of Hall Barn, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, proprietor of The Daily Telegraph. William was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and initially commissioned into the Yorkshire and Lancashire in 1884. However, he transferred to the Scots Guards later that same year.
Colonel The Hon. William Arnold Webster Levy Lawson was born in 1864, the second son of Edward Levy Lawson, 1st Baron Burnham, of Hall Barn, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, proprietor of The Daily Telegraph. William was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and initially commissioned into the Yorkshire and Lancashire in 1884. However, he transferred to the Scots Guards later that same year.
He enjoyed hunting and also rode in Army point-to-points at Long Buckby, Burrough Hill, Buckingham and Rugby but had his share of bad luck. He broke a collarbone on a fall at Burrough Hill and fell again when leading the field in the Heavy-Weight race at Rugby.
He enjoyed hunting and also rode in Army point-to-points at Long Buckby, Burrough Hill, Buckingham and Rugby but had his share of bad luck. He broke a collarbone on a fall at Burrough Hill and fell again when leading the field in the Heavy-Weight race at Rugby.
In 1887 he married Sybil Mary Marshall, eldest daughter of Lt-Gen Sir Frederick Marshall, K.C.M.G., of Broadwater, Surrey. Like her husband, she was devoted to hunting and was regarded amongst the very best ladies to ride alongside hounds.
In 1887 he married Sybil Mary Marshall, eldest daughter of Lt-Gen Sir Frederick Marshall, K.C.M.G., of Broadwater, Surrey. Like her husband, she was devoted to hunting and was regarded amongst the very best ladies to ride alongside hounds.
Weight limited William’s opportunities for riding in steeplechases and he mostly confined his activities to military meetings, particularly the annual Household Brigade fixture at Hawthorn Hill, where he enjoyed considerable success, winning the Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup Chase four times during the 1890s.
Weight limited William’s opportunities for riding in steeplechases and he mostly confined his activities to military meetings, particularly the annual Household Brigade fixture at Hawthorn Hill, where he enjoyed considerable success, winning the Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup Chase four times during the 1890s.
The first two of those victories were achieved on General. Having finished third in 1891, they won it in 1892 and 1893. William was third in 1894 on Luttrellstown but had no mount the following year.
The first two of those victories were achieved on General. Having finished third in 1891, they won it in 1892 and 1893. William was third in 1894 on Luttrellstown but had no mount the following year.
He won the race for the next two years on Result, carrying 13st 7lb in 1896 and 14st in 1897. On the latter occasion it was the first leg of a double for the rider, as he also won the Open Military Selling Chase on Rohilla. Then, the following day, he again teamed up with Result to win the Household Brigade Welter Steeplechase.
He won the race for the next two years on Result, carrying 13st 7lb in 1896 and 14st in 1897. On the latter occasion it was the first leg of a double for the rider, as he also won the Open Military Selling Chase on Rohilla. Then, the following day, he again teamed up with Result to win the Household Brigade Welter Steeplechase.
Prior to that year’s Household Brigade fixture, on a rare foray away from Hawthorn Hill, he rode Rohilla to win the Plantation Selling Chase at Newmarket on March 19, 1897, the second day of the National Hunt Meeting, which was staged at Newmarket that year.
Prior to that year’s Household Brigade fixture, on a rare foray away from Hawthorn Hill, he rode Rohilla to win the Plantation Selling Chase at Newmarket on March 19, 1897, the second day of the National Hunt Meeting, which was staged at Newmarket that year.
In 1898, Result started the 5-2 on favourite to make it a hat-trick of wins in the Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup, only to fall when looking assured of victory.
In 1898, Result started the 5-2 on favourite to make it a hat-trick of wins in the Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup, only to fall when looking assured of victory.
After serving the Scots Guards with distinction for 15 years, William left in 1899 and joined the 10th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. He served in the Boer War, being involved in action near Boshof and at Lindley, in Orange Free State in 1900. He commanded the Battalion and was twice mentioned in dispatches by Lord Roberts, and again by Lord Kitchener. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1901.
After serving the Scots Guards with distinction for 15 years, William left in 1899 and joined the 10th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. He served in the Boer War, being involved in action near Boshof and at Lindley, in Orange Free State in 1900. He commanded the Battalion and was twice mentioned in dispatches by Lord Roberts, and again by Lord Kitchener. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1901.
On leaving the Army in 1904, Colonel Lawson won the Quorn Heavyweight point-to-point at Gartree Hill on Santos Dumont.
On leaving the Army in 1904, Colonel Lawson won the Quorn Heavyweight point-to-point at Gartree Hill on Santos Dumont.
He subsequently served in the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars and commanded that regiment during World War One,
He subsequently served in the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars and commanded that regiment during World War One,
He became the 3rd Barron Burnham on the death of his elder brother Harry in July 1933.
He became the 3rd Barron Burnham on the death of his elder brother Harry in July 1933.
William Lawson, 3rd Baron Burnham, died on June 14, 1943. He was succeeded by his son Edward (1890-1963) as 4th Baron Burnham. Having been educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, Edward joined the family newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, as a reporter. With his newspaper background, he became Senior Military Adviser to the Ministry of Information and was Director of Public Relations at the War Office from Colonel The Hon William Lawson
William Lawson, 3rd Baron Burnham, died on June 14, 1943. He was succeeded by his son Edward (1890-1963) as 4th Baron Burnham. Having been educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, Edward joined the family newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, as a reporter. With his newspaper background, he became Senior Military Adviser to the Ministry of Information and was Director of Public Relations at the War Office from Colonel The Hon William Lawson