lawton

US Navy ship, from Wiki: Jason was once again involved in a humanitarian gesture as she sailed from New York 14 November, bearing Christmas gifts for the Mediterranean fleet and the people of Europe.

is the lad wiping away a tear?

An account of the mission and sendoff of the Christmas Ship Jason in the World Almanac, 1915: THE SANTA CLAUS SHIP. The World co-operated to the fullest extent with the Chicago Herald and perhaps 150 other newspapers of the United States to this end—that the children of Europe, whose fathers have been killed in the war might be remembered by Santa Claus on Christmas. The Idea originated with James Keeley, publisher of the Chicago Herald. Generous response to the call on behalf of the children was made. The World established sixty-four receiving depots In New York. A general receiving station was established through the co-operation of Dock Commissioner R.A.C. Smith. This station was on the upper deck of Pier No. 1, North River. Its use was given to Commissioner Smith on behalf of the Christmas Ship by the lessees, the Iron Steamboat Company. The American Red Cross, under the guidance of` Miss Mabel T. Boardman, co-operated by offering to convey and deliver gifts to the children. This co-operation meant a wide and impartial distribution. Irving T. Bush, President of the Bush Terminal Company, offered the use, without cost, of the Bush Terminal stores. Gifts were handled there as well as at the Iron Steamboat Pier. The collier Jason was given by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to carry the Christmas presents to Europe. The quantity of merchandise that was sent in response to The World's call for help for the orphan children was great. The pier was strung with electric lights and the work of preparing the cargo for shipment was rushed night and day. The soldiers from Fort Hamilton worked under Major Lawton of the Quartermaster's Department assorting the gifts. A company of marines helped the Red Cross representatives. The wives and daughters of the officers on Governor's Island and many others worked each day until the gifts were all stowed away in the big collier. When she steamed away, Lieutenant-Commander C. E. Courtney commanding, she bore 6,000,000 gifts. It was probably the most remarkable cargo that any ship ever carried from this or any other port. She was given a great send-off. Mayor Mitchel sent a letter and Mr. McAneny as his representative to see her sail. John Callan O'Laughlin, representing the Chicago Herald, went with the ship as American Commissioner. All paid tribute to the work of The World to the end that the undertaking might be a success and bring Joy, or at least a measure of comfort, to the helpless children, sufferers because of the war. books.google.com/books?id=-GQ3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA25&lp...

CWGC entry reads "Son of Mr & Mrs S Lawton of 15 Syringa Street, Marsh, Huddersfield". Born 1896 and baptised on 18th July 1896 at Upperthong, Holmfirth, Yorks. the son of Samuel and Fanny Lawton. His father’s occupation is given as “Scribbling Engineer”. The 1911 census records him living at 41 Rose Terrace, Brockholes [just south of Huddersfield]. William is employed in cloth manufacture. The eldest child of his parents, the family consists of his parents Samuel [b.1872 Honley, Yorks.] and Fanny [b.1875 Barton, Lincs], younger sister Louse [b.1895 Holmfirth, Yorks] and younger brothers Herbert [b.1898 Holmfirth, Yorks] and George [b.1907 Holmfirth, Yorks.] The address in Syringa Street still exists but was not the residence of the Lawton Family in 1911 [the census of that year records the Greenhalagh family as residents].

The Brockholes War Memorial has the name Willie Lawton upon it. www2.kirklees.gov.uk/community/warmemorial/images/brockho... The Great War Forum has the following corresponding info for Willie Lawton; "Writing to Willie Lawton’s brother from a hospital in England, Corporal Brierley, 1st 5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, gave this account of the attack on the Pope’s Nose: “Well, Willie was in my section and went over with me on the 3rd of September, on the Sunday morning at five past five. We reached the German first and second line in quick time, and we had been there for some time when they started to shell us very heavily, and I lost my men nearly. Your brother was in the second line when he was killed with two more men. They all died together I am sorry to say. Willie was a great pal of mine. We had spent some time in the trenches together. You will see where I am and I should like to see you.” In another letter to a friend of Willie’s at Brockholes the same corporal wrote: “Three of my men were done with the same shell. He was killed instantly and his comrades with him, and I was wounded soon after. I was struck by a bomb and had to get away the best way I could. We lost very heavily and a lot of the wounded were taken prisoners. We lost all our officers.” The inof relates to action taken by the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Division on the 3rd Sept 1916, so this may well be the same Willie / William Lawton.

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/

Another photo of Lawton