Seaforth Highlanders

[Garen]

I've dug out a photo I have a copy of. Sadly it's a very bad photocopy - I hope to get a better copy one of these days as I believe my ggg-uncle Alexander Cameron is also on it. It is of the sergeants in the 72nd Highlanders at Parkhurst Barracks, 1882.

The second pic, closer in, shows the names - just about visible you can see Lawson. According to both the Afghan and Egypt war medal rolls there was only one Lawson in the 72nd, and he was indeed a sergeant. Now, which man is he?

I think he is the man in the front with just one medal ( in which case I think the dots above the names indicate how close they are to the front of the picture). On the Afghan war medal roll, John Lawson was unusual in that he received no clasps and no bronze star for his Afghan war service. He is the only man in this part of the photo with the Afghan war medal, no clasps and no bronze star. His Egypt war medals aren't there because the regiment hadn't received them yet.

Note the crossed rifles on his sleeves, indicating his skill as a marksmen or 'best shot', and possibly denoting training at Hythe Musketry School. Note also that the 72nd Highlanders wore the tartan trews, whereas the 78th wore kilts.

As I said in my previous post, this all adds up to John Lawson (yours) and John Lawson (72nd) being the same man, but some more evidence - service record from Kew, details on family certificates etc. - would seal it for certain.

[vandab]

Hi Garen,
I cant believe the info you have given me  and the photo's, This is the first time i have seen him , (Think i am building my hopes up here)finger's crossed it is him. I have a piece of tartan which came from his kilt, my mum and her two sister's had kilts  made up when they were children, from his kilt, it is still as good as new but it has always been kept in a drawer,my mum gave it to me years ago.
His age on the 1901 census is given as 48 so born c 1853, age on marriage certificate given as "full".
Is my next step getting to Kew and trying to find his records? sorry to be a pest but i don't know much about service records. He is the one that has caused me the most problems as i didn't know where to look and getting to London is a bit awkward but will def go there now. My biggest regret is i didn't take much notice when my mum and grandparents were alive some things have stuck in my mind but now i have so many questions i want ask.
Many thanks for your help i really appreciate it, Best wishes,
Vanda

[Garen]

Vanda - you're not being a pest at all, I'm really pleased if all this info is of use. As you say, fingers crossed.

If you can get to Kew, or get a researcher (or some kind soul) to look on your behalf, then you may be able to find his service record - if it has survived. It may also be worth checking the muster rolls.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/guide/army/soldiers.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=14

His service record will confirm his date and place of enlistment and of discharge, next of kin at time of discharge, and intended place of residence. It will also give his medal entitlements (I expect to see Afghan war, no clasps, and the two Egypt medals with clasp for Tel-el-Kebir). It could also give a reason for his complete lack of clasps in the Afghan campaign - perhaps a medical cause. The 72nd saw action at Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar and also the march from Kabul to Kandahar, actions from the beginning to the end of the 2 year campaign. His discharge will probably be under the 2nd Battalion (78th) Seaforth Highlanders as it sounds like he transferred.

Him being a sergeant in the 72nd and the medal roll having only one John Lawson in the ranks points to it all looking pretty good. Any more questions, don't hesitate to ask (my speciality is the Afghan war, but my family history is also with the 72nd) and do keep us updated if you are able. I feel confident enough to add him into the Afghan war database, but will keep an eye out for any more info.

None of us took enough notice of parents and grandparents when we could have, did we?! We can try and make up for it now. 

[liverpool annie]

Hi Garen! Good to see you again!

I've been watching this thread -  how wonderful it is !!

I hope that this is the REAL John Lawson  .... but I have no doubts !!

Great great job !!

Congratulations vandab !! - for having a great project for Garen !!

Annie 

[Pat Reid]

Garen:
Just wanted to say how great a thing you have done for Vanda. Like Annie, I hope it all works out for you Vanda. And getting his pic too! 
My father (Irish) was in Seaforth's during WW2 and was with them at El Alamein where he was wounded. I remember seeing photo of him in kilt and now wish I had gotten copy of it. Ah well, we never appreciated such things then when we were kids. 

Well done again Garen.
Pat

[Garen]

Thanks Annie and Pat - I have collected so much info myself in this area that it is great to be able to 'share the knowledge' - much better than keeping it locked away where it's no use to anyone else.

I feel very certain it's the right John Lawson as Vanda's info matches up with what the medal roll offers, and the photo locks in with the lack of clasps on the Afghan medal.

[M.T.H]

I've also watched this thread with interest!!

My money would be on him being the right John Lawson as well.Amazing to think that both of your ancestors might have known each other!

Nice one Garen! your website is excellent,keep up the good work.

Mick

[vandab]

Hi Garen and everyone else who has logged on to this message,
I will check all this out and will certainly let you know the results, I feel i have cilmbed a moutain and without great people like you, that give out help, i would still be looking for years.Cant wait now to prove it, my heart is telling me that it is him so fingers crossed. Best wishes to you all
 Vanda

[vandab]

Hi Garen,
Had a quick look at your web page thought it was really good, very well laid out and full of detail. I live in Worcestershire and we have a couple of women at work that are Boswells,  they might be related to you  as i think they are from the Boswell family you have,so it is a small world.
Vanda