2nd Lieutenant, Edward Douglas RAWSON
Aged 26
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Edward Douglas Rawson was born in 1892 in Ince, Cheshire (Chester Q1-1892 8A:415), baptised 24th March 1892 in Ince, son of Rev Edward Octavius and Annie
Josephine Christina RAWSON (née DOUGLAS).
1901 census...Aged 9, he was at school at St Cosmus and St Damian in the Blean, Blean, Kent. His father had died in Ince in 1892. At 15 Great College Street, Brighton were his widowed mother, Annie J C RAWSON [47] born in India and his sisters Josephine [16] and Marjory [14] both born in Marston, Cheshire. 1911 census...Aged 19, an insurance clerk, he was at College Road, Epsom, with his widowed mother and married sister Josephine BLAIR a stage actress born Marston, Cheshire and her daughter Elizabeth BLAIR [3] born Greenwich, London. His mother died in Epsom in 1912. |
Plaques in church..it appears that his aunt Catherine Douglas died in Cheveley Rectory
Evelyn Keith Douglas was rector in Cheveley from 1895-1920 and was a relative of Edward. This is the only Cheveley connection found so far.
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He enlisted in Newmarket. From the war diary: "The Battalion were N.E. of Courcelles, on the 23rd at 11am the Battalion jumped off to attack the village of Ervillers. the Btn attacked Trench 200x east of the village. The trench was gained at 12.30pm. 3 officers killed, 3 wounded,(no record in diary of other ranks). 510 prisoners captured along with 9 field guns and 52 light & heavy machine guns." Records have Edward's death as 23rd/24th. CWGC recently published original documents show his is a concentrated burial, the original burial was at map ref 57c.A.18.C.9.7 (see below)
Edward's original burial photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
