James's Story.
Runcorn Examiner, Saturday, July 29, 1916.
James or William?
Mother’s Anxiety Concerning A Dead Son.
“Just a line to let you know that I found the body of your dear son, and very sorry for your trouble. I and my pals buried him as tidily as we could. He had nothing on him, only his pay book; that is the way we found out who he was.”
This letter was written on the 13 July in France by Private P. Cadwell, of a Pioneer Force, to Mrs. Jane Lawson of Norcott Brook, Whitley. Now this heartbroken mother has two sons, both in the Cheshires, and it will be seen in the letter just quoted no Christian name was given. Was it James or William? That was the mentally reiterated query for three or four days, until a field card written on the 17th was received from the second son which showed that he, at any rate, was safe. Up to Monday last Mrs Lawson had not received an official communication as to the fate of her son, James, but the vicar of Whitley 9Rev. J.C. Trampleasure) wrote the War Office for definite information. The last letter from James was dated 6th July, and in a comparatively brief note couched in hopeful terms., he stated that he and Bill were all right. James is 23 years of age and William 21, and they were both attested men, being called up in their different age groups about the same time. They were born in Whitley and worked on an adjacent farm owned by Mr. Mounfield. Mrs. Lawson is a widow, and on the death of her husband she was left with a family of nine young children to care for.
Later in the week a letter was received by Mrs. Lawson, confirming the sad tidings of the death of her son, Private James Lawson. His officer has written, “Your son was killed by a shell during a heavy bombardment, death being instantaneous. He was a very promising soldier, always willing, cheerful and able. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.