John LAWSON [1886-1941]

John K. Lawson was born in 1886 in Hull, England and moved to Edmonton, Canada in 1914. He enlisted for service in WWI, and was assigned to the 9th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre and mentioned in two dispatches. During the war, he rose to the rank of Warrant Officer and by the end of the war was a Captain. He participated in multiple battles such as The Somme and Passechendaele. 

During the interwar period he maintained his position in the Canadian Military, recieving different postings (one to the War Office in London). At the breakout of WWII he was the Director of Military Training in Ottawa, and was given command of the Royal Rifles of Canada, Winnipeg Grenadiers and other support units. They were posted to Hong Kong and arrived on November, 16th, 1941.

He commanded West Brigade in the invasion. After becoming trapped and unable to retreat with his staff at the Battle of Wong Nai Chung Gap, Lawson made a last radio report, saying he was going outside to 'fight it out.' He famously left the West Brigade HQ with a pistol in each hand and was killed in the ensuing fight.

The Japanese grew to have emmense respect for him, as a commander who died in battle, and made him a grave on Wong Nai Chung Gap. After the conflict, he was moved to the Sai Wan War Cemetary.