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Sep 2, 1886
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Born in Edinburgh, Scotland
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Dec 3, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59571 (temporary number 1146)
Ø Next of kin given as George Lawson, brother, “D” Company, 21st
Battalion
Ø Previous occupation given as Machinist
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Ø Posted to “D” Company
o This was later reorganized into “B” Company
The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario
area through the winter of 1914-15.
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Jan 1, 1915
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To receive extra pay while employed as a Cook
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue
training
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Jun 30, 1915
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Ceased to be employed as a Cook
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion
proceeded to St. Omer
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May 28, 1916
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Granted 10 days leave. This was extended to June 8, 1916
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Jun 23, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field
Ambulance) with an infected left knee as the result of an accident and transferred
to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance
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Jun 26, 1916
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Transferred to the 2nd Division Rest
Station
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Jun 29, 1916
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Discharged to duty from the rest station
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Oct 3, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 2 CFA (Canadian Field
Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Trench Fever and transferred to the
No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance
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Oct 15, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance
with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), a fever without
a known cause
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Oct 16, 1916
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Transferred to the No. 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing
Station)
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Oct 18, 1916
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Transferred via the No. 15 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 26 General Hospital in Etaples and the diagnosis was
changed to read Shell Shock
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Oct 20, 1916
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Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in
Etaples, France
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Oct 22, 1916
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Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot in Cayeux, France
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Nov 12, 1916
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Discharged to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in
the Rouelles Camp, Havre and classified TB (Temporary Base) meaning he was
temporarily unfit for combat duty
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Dec 3, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, John Lawson
rejoined the 21st Battalion in the support trenches near Calonne,
France
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May 1, 1917
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Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal
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May 30, 1917
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Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal without
pay
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Dec 26, 1917
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Proceeded on the Map Reading Course
On completion of the course Private Lawson was
posted to the Scout Section
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Mar 2, 1918
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Granted 14 days leave
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Mar 17, 1918
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Rejoined the battalion from leave
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Jan 20, 1919
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Granted 14 days leave
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Feb 14, 1919
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Rejoined the battalion from leave
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Apr 3, 1919
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Embarked the Western Australia in Havre
On arrival in England, he was posted to “P” Wing
in Witley pending return to Canada
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May 14, 1919
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Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool
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May 22, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
to Kingston, Ontario by train
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May 24, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge Corporal
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 277499
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge Pembroke, Ontario
Corporal Lawson was entitled to the 1914-15 Star,
British War Medal and Victory Medals, however there is no indication in the
file that he ever received those medals
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John Lawson was a bit
of a poet and below are a couple of
poems that he wrote while at the front
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