2844 Private William James Lawton was born on 24th December
1893 in Odd Rode, he was christened on the 25th March 1894
at All Saints Church, Odd Rode, he was one of 5 children to William James
& Harriet Lawton of Kent Green, Scholar Green.
William’s father occupation was a miner. On the 1901 census William
lived with his family in Kent Green, their neighbours at the time
were John & Ann Leeson (who were my
ancestors).
There are no surviving service records for William; all we know
is that he enlisted in Cheshire in
1915 and that he went to Balkans (Mesopotamia)
on the 8th August 1915. His Medal Index card tells us that
he was invalided out or unfit for Service (date unknown) as he was
awarded the Silver War Badge (this badge was issued to Service men
who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during
the war), he was also entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal
and the Victory Medal.
William died on the 17th June 1921, in the district
of Chorlton, Lancashire.
He is buried in All Saints Churchyard, Odd Rode.