Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk. War Graves

Transcription

1 Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk War Graves Lest We Forget World War PRIVATE A. LAWSON 22ND BN. AUSTRALIAN INF. 30TH JUNE, 1918 Age 41

2 Arthur HUGHES Arthur Hughes was born in 1872 in Melbourne, Victoria to parents James & Ann Hughes (nee Lee). Arthur Hughes married Eliza Maud Dick in 1916 in Victoria. Arthur Hughes enlisted under the name of Arthur Lawson & stated he was a 40 year old, single, Labourer, of no fixed address, when he enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria on 2nd March, 1917 with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.). His service number was 6846 & his religion was Church of England. His next of kin was listed as his friend Patrick Costello, 47 Hawke Street, West Melbourne, Victoria. Pte Arthur Lawson was posted to Battalion at Royal Park on 3rd March, 1917 for recruit training. He was transferred to 19th Reinforcements of 22nd Battalion at Royal Park on 15th March, Private Arthur Lawson embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Ascanius (A11) on 11th May, 1917 with the 22nd Infantry Battalion, 19th Reinforcements. He was admitted to Ship s Hospital between 6th & 10th June, 1917 with Influenza. Pte Lawson disembarked at Devonport, England on 20th July, Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire. Private Arthur Lawson was marched in to 6th Training Battalion at Rollestone, Wiltshire from Australia on 20th July, Private Arthur Lawson was written up for a Crime while at Rollestone, Wiltshire Absent without leave from midnight on 24th September, 1917 to 10 pm on 25th September, He was awarded 14 days confined to camp with a total forfeiture of 8 days pay. Private Arthur Lawson was transferred to Machine Gun Corp Details at Grantham on 31st October, 1917 from Fovant, Wiltshire. He was taken on strength of Machine Gun Details at Grantham on 2nd November, Private Arthur Lawson was marched in to 6th Training Battalion at Fovant, Wiltshire on 16th November, 1917 from Machine Gun Depot at Grantham. Private Arthur Lawson proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 27th December, 1917 to reinforce 22nd Battalion. Pte Lawson was marched in to 2nd A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre, France on 28th December, He was marched out to his Unit from 2nd A.I.B.D. on 30th December, 1917 & was taken on strength of 22nd Battalion in the field on 1st January, 1918 from 19th Reinforcements. Private Arthur Lawson was wounded in action in France on 19th May, He was admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance on 19th May, 1918 with gunshot wounds to thigh then transferred to 61st Casualty Clearing Station on the same day. Pte Lawson was transferred to Ambulance Train on 20th May, 1918 then transferred & admitted to 26th General Hospital at Etaples. France on 20th May, Pte Lawson was invalided to England on Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen on 23rd May, nd Battalion In 1918 the battalion returned to the Somme valley. After helping to stop the German spring offensive in March and April, the 6th Brigade participated in the period of peaceful penetration of the enemy lines. It was in mid-may that Sergeant William 'Rusty' Ruthven earned the 22nd Battalion's only Victoria Cross. In the last days of August and September the battalion helped capture Mont St Quentin. The 22nd Battalion took part in the last action fought by the AIF on the Western Front, the battle of Montbrehain, in October (Extract of Battalion information from the Australian War Memorial)

3 Private Arthur Lawson was admitted to Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk, England on 23rd May, 1918 with gunshot wounds to left thigh & left foot. Private Arthur Lawson died at 9.50 pm on 30th June, 1918 at Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk, England from Pyaemia & Septic Pneumonia following wounds. A death for Arthur Lawson, aged 45, was registered in the September quarter, 1918 in the district of Blofield, Norfolk, England. Private Arthur Lawson was buried at 2 pm on 4th July, 1918 in Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk, England Plot number and has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. From the burial report of Private Arthur Lawson - Coffin was good polished Elm. The deceased soldier was accorded a Military Funeral. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and mounted on a Gun Carriage, Bugler and Pallbearers were also in attendance. Several beautiful wreaths were sent by the Sisters and Nurses and Australian Patients in the Norfolk and Norwich War Hospital. Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. London were represented at the funeral. Documentary evidence was produced showing that correct name of Private Arthur Lawson was Arthur Hughes. A Statutory Declaration was received in August, 1918 from Mrs Eliza Maud Hughes, of 249 Johnston Street, Fitzroy stating that she was the widow of the late Arthur Hughes who enlisted under the name Private Arthur Lawson. She stated she had not ben divorced or legally separated from the soldier & that no previous marriage rendered the union invalid. A copy of the photograph & description of the locality of the grave of her husband was sent to Mrs E. M. Hughes, 249 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, in February, Mr P. Costello listed as the next-of-kin of the late Private Arthur Lawson, was also sent a copy. Base Records contacted The Manager, Equity Trustees Co. Queens Street, Melbourne, Victoria in April, 1919 stating that it was understood that their Office held the Will of the late No Private A. Hughes who enlisted under the name of Lawson. A copy of the Will of Arthur Hughes, dated 19th March, 1917, was sent to Base Records. The Will reads This is the Last Will and Testament of me Arthur Hughes of Royal Park Military Camp on active service having enlisted under the name of Arthur Lawson Regimental No B Company 19th Battalion 22 Reinforcements. I hereby appoint my sisters Blanche Kerr and Annie Kerr executrices of this my will. I give, devise and bequeath unto my brother William Edward Hughes the sim of one hundred pounds. In the event of his

4 dying before me the said sum to be paid to my sisters Blanche and Annie and I direct that the balance of my estate shall be divided equally between said sisters Base Records wrote to The Manager, Equity Trustees Co. Queens Street, Melbourne, Victoria, later in April, 1919 to ask for the addresses of the Executrices named in the Will of the late Private Arthur Hughes, who enlisted under the name of Arthur Lawson. The Manager, Equity Trustees Co. Queens Street, Melbourne, Victoria replied with the address of Mrs Blanche Kerr Duke of Wellington Hotel, corner Flinders & Russell Streets, Melbourne & Mrs Annie Kerr, Heskith, Orford Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria. Letters were sent to Mrs A. Kerr, Heskith, Orford Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria & to Mrs B. Kerr, Duke of Wellington Hotel, corner Flinders & Russell Streets, Melbourne stating that 2 packages containing the personal effects of the late Private A. Hughes to be divided as per his Will between the two. The Letter to Mrs Kerr was marked unclaimed - addressee unknown. A notice was prepared for publication in the newspapers which read The Defence Department would be glad if Mr William Edward Hughes, brother of the late No Private A. Lawson (correct name stated to be Arthur Hughes) 22nd Battalion Would communicate with the Officer In Charge, Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne with as little delay as possible. The following details in a letter were sent from Base Records to Finance Secretary on 19th March, 1919 regarding Private Arthur Hughes: The above-named deceased soldier enlisted as a single man and the first intimation of his being married was received ion a communication dated received from Mr J. H. Evans, 105 Lygon Street, North Carlton, extract of which is appended. I am writing in reference to a Report in a death column in last Tuesday s AGE July of Arthur Hughes, the husband of Mrs E, Hughes. He left her at 248 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, about 18 months ago in practically a starving way with three children; she has not heard of him until the above report. As the soldier could not be traced under the name of HUGHES the matter as referred to the A.A.G. 3rd M.D, for investigation and that Officer furnished a report dated received from Mr T. S. Kerr, Duke of Wellington Hotel, Flinders St., Melbourne, extract of which is as follows:- Hughes enlisted under the name of ARTHUR LAWSON about 2 years ago and went into Royal Park Camp.. Hughes is my wife s brother. Hughes stated to me that he was going to enlist under another names as he found that his wife had been previously married and her husband was still alive, He afterwards enlisted under the name of LAWSON. Mrs E. Hughes was communicated with from this Office under date and she subsequently furnished a Statutory Declaration and Marriage Certificate in support thereof.. A statement was made by Mrs Eliza Maud Hughes, of 540 Lygon Street, Carlton, on 23rd May, 1921 which reads I have made application to receive payment of any War Gratuity which may be payable in respect of the services of the late No Private ARTHUR HUGHES (ALIAS LAWSON) 22nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. In support of my claim I would state:- I was married to the soldier about twelve months previous to his enlistment. I lived with him until he deserted me. I lived with him for about twelve months. Previous to that he was paying my rent for about twelve months. During the time he was paying my rent I was living with him as his wife. I had one child by the late soldier but it was taken away from me stillborn. It is true that my previous husband was living when I married the soldier. At the time I did not know where he was or even if he was still alive as he was away from me for about eleven years. He deserted me because of his drunken habits and cruelty to me. My husband died six months after my marriage with Hughes. I produce for the Board s perusal Marriage Certificate showing my marriage to both of these men. At the time of my marriage with Dick my previous husband was dead and had been dead for four years. I believe the reason for Hughes leaving me was that he was of me and did not want to be burdened with keeping me. He enlisted as a single man. I discovered of his being in the Army through a notice of his death in the paper. I have three children, of them Dick is the father of one, my first husband is the father of the other two. I applied for a pension but did not get it. I keep myself by working for a man named Hash off Station Street, North Carlton. This brings me in 12/- per week, my daughter contributes also to my support. The authorities told me at the Pension Office, the reason I did not received a pension was that there was a wife of the late soldier living. The decision of the Board Claimant not eligible. (Note Dick being the previous surname of Eliza Maud Hughes)

5 Private Arthur Lawson was entitled to British War Medal & the Victory Medal. A Memorial Scroll & Memorial Plaque were also sent to Untraceables pending investigations into the next-of-kin. (The Plaque was embossed incorrectly as Arthur Hughes but should have been the name he served under Arthur Lawson.) A notation on the front of the Service Record file for the late Private Arthur Lawson reads I have examined 3rd MD Gratuity File which discloses Mrs E. M. Hughes not to be deceased widow, but his de-facto wife of one years standing. She has no claims to Gratuity & no claims to War Medals. War Medals to Untraceables. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists Private A. Lawson service number 6846, aged 41, of 22nd Battalion, Australian Infantry. No family details are listed. Private A. Hughes (served as Arthur Lawson) is commemorated on the Roll of Honour, located in the Hall of Memory Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia on Panel 96. (98 pages of Pte Arthur Lawson s Service records are available for On Line viewing at National Archives of Australia website). Information obtained from the CWGC, Australian War Memorial (Roll of Honour, First World War Embarkation Roll) & National Archives

6 Newspaper Notices DIED ON SERVICE HUGHES Officially reported, Arthur Hughes, died of wounds on 30th June, 1918, son of the late James Hughes, and beloved brother of Mrs T. S. Kerr, Duke of Wellington Hotel, Beloved brother of Mrs A. J. Kerr, Orford street, Ascotvale; sincere friend of Mr Costello Haroke. (The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria 9 July, 1918) DEATHS On Active Service HUGHES Officially reported, Arthur Hughes, died of wounds on 30th June, 1918, son of the late James Hughes, and beloved brother of Mrs T. S. Kerr, Duke of Wellington Hotel, Beloved brother of Mrs A. J. Kerr, Orford-street, Ascot Vale, sincere friend of Mr Costello, Hawke-street. (The Age, Melbourne, Victoria 9 July, 1918) THE 417th CASUALTY LIST VICTORIAN NAMES DIED OF OTHER CAUSES Private A. Lawson, West Melb. (The Mildura Cultivator, Victoria 17 July, 1918) Commonwealth War Graves Commission Headstones The Defence Department, in 1920/21, contacted the next of kin of the deceased World War 1 soldiers to see if they wanted to include a personal inscription on the permanent headstone. Space was reserved for 66 letters only (with the space between any two words to be counted as an additional letter) & the rate per letter was around 3 ½ d (subject to fluctuation). The expense in connection for the erection of permanent headstones over the graves of fallen soldiers was borne by the Australian Government. (Information obtained from letters sent to next of kin in 1921) Private A. Lawson does not have a personal inscription on his headstone.

7 Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk, England Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich contains 533 Commonwealth War Graves. The cemetery was laid out in 1856 and casualties of the South African War were buried in the oldest part. Nearly half of the burials are to be found in two military plots; one in the North-Eastern part and the other in the Western part of the burial ground. Ground immediately adjoining the latter was reserved for service burials of the War and is now combined with it to form the and War Graves Plot. The Cross of Sacrifice, which honours the servicemen of both Wars who are buried in the cemetery, stands in the plot, and carved upon two of the panels of its base are the dates and There are now nearly 350, and nearly 200, war casualties commemorated in this site. In addition, a special memorial is erected to one soldier buried among civilian air raid victims in a grave on which it was not possible to erect a headstone. (Information & photo from CWGC)

8 Photo of Private A. Lawson s Commonwealth War Graves Commission Headstone in Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk, England. (Photo by Jennifer Hart Find a Grave)

9 Map of Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk, England