Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Lieutenant

Unit : 1/5th Bn

Biography :

Educated at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School, Robert Lawton was commissioned into The Leicestershire Regiment on 30.3.1914, and joined 5th Bn. He served in 1/5th Bn in World War One, entering France in Feb 1915. On 13.10.15 as he climbed out of our trenches for the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, he was mortally wounded in the stomach. Three days later he Died of Wounds 16.10.1915, aged 21. He is buried at Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He is mentioned on the Ashby de la Zouch Grammar schoolboys' memorial, and there is a large plaque in his memory next to the altar in St. Margaret's Church, Blackfordby, Leics.

--------- email received from Mr Andrew Smith researching old boys of Ashby Grammar School 4th May 2012: LAWTON, ROBERT CHARLES

Lieutenant, Died of wounds: 17/10/1915 (attack on the Hohenzollern redoubt, Loos.) Age:21 Leics Regt 1/ 5th Bn. Grave Ref I. F. 14. CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY

Son of Robert and Margaret Lucy Lawton, of Boothorpe, Woodville.

Formerly of Ashby Grammar School

In his will Robert left £3,413 19s 8d to his father (Will read in London 29/11/ 1915)

email received 7th March 2012 - forwarded for action 27th July, 2012 - from Andrew Smith:

'Further Info: R C Lawton, born Boothorpe (nr.Blackfordby)1894,baptised Woodville St.stephens 01 sept 1894, wounds sustained during attack on the Hohenzollern redoubt.

October 13, 1915. The British casualties in this action consisted of 3,763 officers and men. It was the Division's first major action after its arrival on the Western Front, but was a gallant failure. The casualties incurred that afternoon changed forever the fine pre-war territorial character of the Division. Below follows an in-depth account of the Division's activities during the fighting for the Redoubt.The objective of the 46th Division's attack was capture of the "The Dump," an old mine slag heap which was strategically important in the Hohenzollern Redoubt's defenses.

The assault began with an artillery bombardment at 1200 hours on Wednesday 13 October 1915. Following the release of gas at 1400 hours, the 46th (North Midland) Division advanced over No-Man's Land towards its objective. After intense and fierce fighting, small gains were made, but consolidation was impossible.

The battle started with the usual artillery barrage in the early morning. After a lengthy pause, it was followed with a gas attack, which proved to be ineffective. Once again, the high command demanded a pause before the troops went over the top. This decision gave the Germans the opportunity to occupy their positions in a state of readiness for the attack they expected

Lieutenant Robert Charles Lawton died three days later.

He is mentioned on the Ashby de la Zouch Grammar schoolboys memorial and there is a large plaque next to the altar in St. Margaret's Church Blackfordby. His father was a clay&stoneware works owner, Robert lawton. in his will read in london on 29/11/1915 he left £3,413 19s 8d to his father.'

Date of Birth : 1894 - 3rd Quarter

Place of Birth : Ashby-de-la-Zouch,Leics

Date of Death : 16.10.1915

Place of Death : France

Period of Service : 1914-15

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France