8464 Private James Lawson was a 32 year old farm labourer originally from Blackhall-Cramond, Scotland with pre-war service in the 1^st Battalion Royal Scots and the 42^nd Regiment (Lanark & Renfrew) of the Canadian Militia when he attested into the 2^nd Battalion at Valcartier in September 1914.

He remained in the UK at Tidworth Barracks as part his battalion’s reserve when the 1^st Division embarked for France in February 1915. He was transferred to several Reserve battalions (12^th, 9^th and 23^rd) before being sent to the 15^th Battalion as a reinforcement on May 3^rd following 2^nd Ypres.

Private Lawson was seriously wounded in the left knee and leg by shrapnel at Festubert and evacuated initially to No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne and then from there to 1^st Western General Hospital in Liverpool. His medical condition worsened necessitating the amputation of his leg at the hip and regrettably he died following surgery on June 14^th. Private Lawson is buried in Liverpool (Kirkdale) Cemetery.

NOK: Eldest Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Lawson, of 3, Livingstone Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. Born at Craigcrook Castle, Midlothian.