I've been watching this thread, but hadn't yet contributed as I've not found anything helpful. But I now have some comments and questions.
Hi,
An interesting note in his military file, a letter dated January 1956 addressed to Director, War
Services stating that an employee of the Windsor Star (newspaper), in Windsor, Ontario found
Jame's discharge certificate while going through old books purchased at an auction sale. It may
mean that he spent time in Windsor, Ontario or the book made it rounds in auction sales in
Ontario.
Cheers,
DB
If he didn't have family in Canada near the time of his passing, perhaps his personal items were given away/donated to a charity or other organization? Or, perhaps he gave his things to a family member/friend and that person eventually gave them away?
Also, could he have lived in the states at some point? Windsor is just a hop away from the states.
...I doubt he actually married Lily as that would make him a bigamist ( but then again nothing would surprise me)...
It wouldn't be the first time this has happened.
I've found a few men who left their families and started new ones in a different country (and yes, I do believe they actually married without first getting divorces). We know that one man was even a truly good person, as told to us by children from both families.
I did have a look for James on the 1921 census, but no luck. I also checked the 1911 just in case.
Cheers,
DB
I also looked - it's odd that he has not yet been found. Was he intentionally trying to hid his identity?
Or, could the census images have been difficult to read? Was he moving around quite a bit? Did he return to the UK for short stays or move to the states, looking for work?
I've now discovered a James Lawson in the Canadian WW1 Attestation papers, signing up in Montreal.
He states that his birth date is 18/03/1884 born Ayr, Scotland and is a Plasterer.
I was just looking through the Montreal directories again, and finally found him in the 1916-1917 directory (I didn't see his name in the 1914-15 nor 1915-16 directories).
1916-1917 Montreal Directory (and 1917-18)
Lawson, Jas plasterer 484 Moreau
http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/lovell/He doesn't appear to be in the 1918-19 directory, unless he changed his address and possibly his occupation.
Perhaps you could have a look at later (or earlier) directories for any additional clues?
I'm looking forward to reading about what else is discovered.