John K. Lawson
Encyclopedia
Brigadier John Kelburne Lawson MC
(27 December 1887 - 19 December 1941) was the senior Canadian officer and commander of the West Brigade during the Battle of Hong Kong
. He was the most senior officer to be killed in action during the battle and the highest ranking Canadian soldier killed in action in World War II
.
, East Riding of Yorkshire
in 1887, and served in World War I, being awarded a Military Cross
at the Battle of Passchendale.
When World War II broke out, he was Director of Military Training in Ottawa, and was given the command of the Royal Rifles of Canada and The Winnipeg Grenadiers and the other Canadian support units who arrived in Hong Kong
on November 16, 1941 as reinforcements for the British garrison there.
After the forces defending Kowloon
were withdrawn to the island of Hong Kong
on 11 December 1941 General Maltby organized the defence of the island into two brigades, west and east. Lawson was placed in charge of the west brigade, which included the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Royal Scots, the Punjab Regiment (India)
and the Canadian Signallers. The Japanese landed on Hong Kong island on 18 December 1941 with the intent to split the defenders in two. After fierce fighting, Japanese forces surrounded Lawson's HQ at around 10 a.m. on 19 December. Lawson radioed his commanders that he was going to "fight it out" and left his pillbox with a pistol in each hand, and was killed in the ensuing fight.
When the Japanese arrived and found his body, they gave him a proper burial nearby as a respect due to his courage while facing his enemy (i.e. the Japanese). However, he was reburied at the Sai Wan War Cemetery
after the war. The original headstone was destroyed and a memorial plate was erected by the Canadian Government at the site in 2005.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(27 December 1887 - 19 December 1941) was the senior Canadian officer and commander of the West Brigade during the Battle of Hong Kong
Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...
. He was the most senior officer to be killed in action during the battle and the highest ranking Canadian soldier killed in action in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Early career
Lawson was born in HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
, East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
in 1887, and served in World War I, being awarded a Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
at the Battle of Passchendale.
When World War II broke out, he was Director of Military Training in Ottawa, and was given the command of the Royal Rifles of Canada and The Winnipeg Grenadiers and the other Canadian support units who arrived in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
on November 16, 1941 as reinforcements for the British garrison there.
Battle of Hong Kong
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
were withdrawn to the island of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
on 11 December 1941 General Maltby organized the defence of the island into two brigades, west and east. Lawson was placed in charge of the west brigade, which included the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Royal Scots, the Punjab Regiment (India)
Punjab Regiment (India)
The Punjab Regiment of India was formed from the 2nd Punjab Regiment of theBritish Indian Army in 1947. It is one of the oldest regiments still in service in the Indian Army and has taken part in various battles and wars winning numerous honors for the same...
and the Canadian Signallers. The Japanese landed on Hong Kong island on 18 December 1941 with the intent to split the defenders in two. After fierce fighting, Japanese forces surrounded Lawson's HQ at around 10 a.m. on 19 December. Lawson radioed his commanders that he was going to "fight it out" and left his pillbox with a pistol in each hand, and was killed in the ensuing fight.
When the Japanese arrived and found his body, they gave him a proper burial nearby as a respect due to his courage while facing his enemy (i.e. the Japanese). However, he was reburied at the Sai Wan War Cemetery
Sai Wan War Cemetery
Sai Wan War Cemetery is a military cemetery located in Chai Wan, Hong Kong. The cemetery contains the graves of the dead of the Second World War, mostly soldiers from the Commonwealth and Allied Forces who fell during the Battle of Hong Kong. The Sai Wan Bay Memorial includes the names of 228...
after the war. The original headstone was destroyed and a memorial plate was erected by the Canadian Government at the site in 2005.