b. 11/04/1873 Newcastle upon Tyne. d. 02/07/1955 Walker, Northumberland.
Edward Lawson (1873-1955) was born on 11th April 1873 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Little is known about his early life, prior to his enlistment in c. 1893 with the Gordon Highlanders. Private Lawson was then duly posted with his regiment out to India, and the North West Frontier, where in 1897, he became involved in the Tirah Field Force.
Edward Lawson VC
On 20th October 1897, during the assault on the Dargai Heights, Lieutenant Dingwall of the Gordon Highlanders, was hit and wounded and left unable to move. Private Lawson rushed forward to the Lieutenant’s aid, and under heavy fire, carried him to safety. He then returned to bring in Private McMillan, despite being wounded twice himself.
Lawson was gazetted on 20th May 1898, and received his medal from Queen Victoria on 25th June 1898. Not much is known about Lawson’s service following the exploits on the Dargai Heights. He was discharged from the Gordon Highlanders in 1902. He then returned to his native north-east of England.
Lawson died on 2nd July 1955, aged 82, at his home in Parsons Avenue, Walker, Tyne and Wear. He was buried in Heaton Cemetery, Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1999, the headstone was replaced. His medals are held by the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen, Scotland.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: GORDON HIGHLANDERS MUSEUM, ABERDEEN.
BURIAL PLACE: HEATON CEMETERY, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE. SECTION 2 GRAVE 56.
Acknowledgements:
Thomas Stewart – Image of the Lawson VC Medal Group at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen.
Andrew Swan – Image of the VC Memorial at the Discovery Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne.