2844 Private William James Lawton was born on 24^th December 1893 in Odd Rode, he was christened on the 25^th 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 8^th 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 17^th June 1921, in the district of Chorlton, Lancashire. He is buried in All Saints Churchyard, Odd Rode.