lawson

See - www.flickr.com/photos/26602074@N06/3829415676/

Thanks for adding this link, beachcomberaustralia. Same image! The history of the photo provided by the Blue Mountains Library helps bring it to life.

Die Freude des Jungen ist ihm förmlich ins Gesicht geschrieben.

poor boy wearing a dress...well the lady needed help thats for sure.

It wasn't up until sometime early last century that young boys were not put into dresses as infants as a matter of course.

:P

From Commonwealth War Graves Commission website: Name:LAWSON, ROBERT WYBERGH GORDON Initials:R W G Nationality:United Kingdom Rank:Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service:Gordon Highlanders Unit Text:1st Bn. Age:25 Date of Death:18/07/1916 Additional information:Son of John Robert and Mary Elizabeth Lawson, of 12, Polworth Rd., Streatham, London. Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference:Pier and Face 15 B and 15 C. Memorial:THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

Born 1890 Kensington

Corporal R W G Lawson, serving with the London Regiment (T.F.) was commissioned as a Regular (Temporary) Second Lieutenant (on Probation)in the Gordon Highlanders with effect 30th April 1916. [London Gazette 29589 dated 19th May 1916]. He was posted as Missing believed Killed in Action just 78 days later. 2Lt Lawson would have joined the Battalion at Kemmel before it moved away for training at various locations, ready for the 'Big Push'. 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders was not committed to the initial attack on the Somme on 1st July, instead they moved ever closer to the front via, Houlle, Gazaincourt, Naours, Franvillers, and Bois Les Celestin. From 8th July they underwent intensive assault training by day and night for 7 days at Bronfay Farm, now close enough to the line to be shelled. At 03.45am on 14th July, 1st Gordons attacked and took the German second line opposite Longueval. They were then quickly moved to Caterpillar Valley and pushed up into High Wood, despite heavy shelling, in preparation for an attack on Longueval itself which assembled at 2am and went over the top at 3.45am on 18th July. The attack was initially successful, but untaken German strongpoints to the North of Delville Wood brought fire to bear on Longueval. Seven hours of intensive enemy shelling heralded German counter-attacks which eventually caused the village to be evacuated. These actions cost 1st Gordons, 4 officers killed and 7 wounded, and 321 Other Ranks killed, wounded and missing. [Abridged with acknowledgement to Mary Cox of the MoD who wrote up a diary of 1st Gordons 1914-18].//

In 1891 the family lived at 77 Philbeach Gardens, Kensington and employed a Cook, 2 House Maids and 2 Nurses to look after Robert and his 3 older siblings. His father was a Turkey Merchant.

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/