On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France, is the name of 21/68 Lance Corporal George Lawson, serving with the 21st Service (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 01/07/1916.
George was married to Jane and had a son Matthew born April 5th 1914.
Ken Lawson tells us (2026) :-
George Lawson was one of 3 brothers who died in the 1st World War. George died on the 1st day of the Somme July 1st 1916 .
His brother Henry in 1907 married a widow called Margaret Cooper who was 8 years older than him and had 2 children. He died 23rd October 1918.
His younger brother William, my grandfather, served with the RAMC, and died on the 1st day of the German spring offensive, 21st March 1918. He had married my grandmother Margaret Blanch Dodds just 7 weeks previously, so never saw my father, his son
The Morpeth Herald 25/08/1916 carries a brief obituary:
Lance-Corporal G. Dawson [sic], Seaton Delaval, killed.
The Morpeth Herald 08/12/1916 reports:-
BENEFIT MATCH AT SEATON DELAVAL.
Mr. John Gleghorn, chairman the Seaton Delaval Northern Alliance, A.F.C., has made arrangements for a benefit match to be given on the Seaton Delaval ground Saturday Dec 16th for the wife and family of Private George Lawson, who was killed in action. The teams chosen are Scotswood. the N.E.F. and a team from the 91st T.R.B.N. several professional players being included in their team.
Those wishful of seeing a good, fast, and scientific game should not miss this match, and by attending they will help a good cause
Kick-off 2.30.
The Newcastle Journal 18/12/1916 reports:-
91st TRAINING RESERVE BATTALION v. SCOTSWOOD. For the benefit the widow of the late Corporal G. Lawson. late trainer of the Seaton Delaval Alliance Club, who was killed in action, a match was played between the 91st Training Reserve Battalion and Scotswood at Seaton Delaval on Saturday. There were a number well-known local players in the military team, and the Scotswood team included W. Moore, Buchanan, McCracken. and other Newcastle players. The ball, which was presented Mr O’Connell, one of directors of Messrs Swinburn and Co. was kicked off by Mr C. Dixon, of Seaton Delaval. Within a minute the start Henderson scored for Scotswood. Five minutes later Buchanan obtained second point for Scotswood. In the second half Moore added other two goals, and Phillipson a fifth for Scotswood.
George Lawson is remembered at Seaton Delaval on S7.03, S7.04, S7.07, and S7.10 and at Seghill on S11.03.
