George Lawson
Name: George Thomas Lawson
Rank: Private
Service number: 20968
Units Served: 9th Field Artillery Brigade, 34th Battery, and 7th Australian Light TM Battery
Personal Details: George Lawson was born in Cooktown, Queensland in July 1889 to Gustave (died before he enlisted) and Elizabeth Lawson. He was 6’2’’ tall, weighed 11-4 lbs, had a fair complexion with blue eyes and light brown hair. George worked as a stockman on his family property in North West Queensland until he enlisted. George was engaged to Ms Avis Cummins.
Military Service: George Lawson enlisted at 26 years of age at Charters Towers on the 6th of September 1915. He embarked from Sydney on the 11th of May 1916 on the HMAT A8 “Argyllshire” and disembarked at Devonport on the 10th of July 1916. He spent time in hospital during December until February, 1917 He then proceeded to France on the 23rd July and was taken on strength by the 7th Light Trench Mortar Battery on the 1st August. He spent time at the 1st ANZAC Corps School from the 15th to the 29th September. He then spent more time in hospital from23rd October 1917 to the 11th March 1918. He rejoined his unit on the 15th May.
George was general favorite amongst his units and was commonly known as Ting. George and another soldier, Private J. Cable were killed in action at 3am of the morning of the Battle of Hamel by a premature explosion of one of their own trench guns. They were buried in their gun pit which was about 800 yards east of the town of Villers-Brettoneux near the old aerodrome. After the war George’s remains were located and re-interred in Crucifix Corner Cemetery.
Age at Death: 29
Date of Death: 4th July 1918
Cemetery Details: France, 424 Crucifix Corner Cemetery
