LAWSON, William Ezra


No.3861, Corporal, William Ezra LAWSON
Aged 23


11th Battalion, Australian Infantry
Killed in Action on 7th October 1917


William Ezra Lawson was born in Bradfield St George (2nd qtr 1894 Thingoe 4a:732) son of Joseph and Clara LAWSON (née CADE). His mother died in 1895 and his father then married Selina SNEEZUM in 1897

1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Church Road with his father Joseph LAWSON [34] a farmer born Croxton, Lincs; his stepmother Selina [40] born Erwarton; brothers Reginald [8] and Herman [5]. All three boys were born in Bradfield.

1911 census...Not found in this census, presumably he and Reginald had gone to Australia. His father and stepmother wewre at hall Farm, Bradfield St George with his brother |herman and half brothers Philip Sneezum LAWSON [9], and Cyril Sneezum LAWSON [8] both born in Bradfield St George.




He enlisted in Blackboy Hill, Western Australian on 15th September 1915, giving his age as 21 years 4 months, born Bradfield St George , a farm hand. next of kin, his brother R.J.Lawson c/o Warwick Bros, York, W Australia (later Private 3039). His father was at Wall Farm, Bradfield St George. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighed 170 lbs, chest 38 ti 41 inches blue eyes, red hair, Anglican. In the 11th battalion he was promoted Lance Corporal 25/7/1917 and Corporal 29/9/1917.

He embarked on HMAT Mongolia on 22nd November 1915 at Freemantle to eventually join the BEF.
He joined the 11th Battlion at Habieta on 2nd March 1916, embarked on SS Corsican to join BEF Alexandria on 29th March, arriving Marseilles 5th April. Admitted to field ambulance on 26th June with bronchitis and admitted to hospital in Wimereux 5th July discharged to duty pn 11th July. From the depot at Etaples, he re-joined his unit on 1st Sept.1916. Wounded in action (left thumb) 16th April and taken to hospital in Rouen. Released to Depot at Havre 3rd June 1917, he re-joined his unit on 8th June 1917.
He was killed in Action in Belgium.
It was betweeen the Battle for Broodseinde Ridge (part of the 3rd Ypres) which had been taken and the opening of Passchedaele. The 11th Australian had 14 killed that day, the Australians as a whole losing close to 150.




William Lawson is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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