"Tom" Thomas LAWSON
Born 15 October 1892 in Lilliesleaf, Roxburgh, Scotland [28]
Son of farm manager John LAWSON and Rachel Alston CHARTERIS [28]
He was born at 8pm in the evening on Clerklands Farm in Lilliesleaf, Roxburgh, Scotland [28]
In 1901 was living with his widowed mother and siblings at Faugh Hill Cottages in Bowden, Roxburgh, Scotland [20]
Along with his mother and brother Jack departed Liverpool, England on the steamship Afric on 1 June 1911 [203]
Also on the same voyage of the Afric was early Marchagee farmer Charles H. EMERY of the Marchagee Estate Farm [203]
They disembarked from the steamship Afric in Albany, Western Australia on 7 July 1911 [23]
Farmer of Bibining Farm in Kununoppin, Western Australia as "Lawson Bros" 1911-1925 [5: 5-Sep-1947] [50] [81: 17-Sep-1911]
Their brothers David and Bill departed London, England on the Orama in 1912 [203] to join them in Western Australia [P133]
"Lawson Bros" were granted total relief under the Industries Assistance Act after a disastrous crop in 1914 [39: 24-Apr-1915]
In 1914 only 2½ inches of rain fell in Kununoppin after seeding and the district averaged less than a bushel an acre [39: 24-Apr-1915]
Farmer of Castleside Farm in Winchester 1925-1947 [0: image 04487] [19]
He purchased his 837 acres farm in Winchester from Thomas and William HAYWOOD on 14 February 1925 [27]
The 837 acres was Lot M1087 of Victoria Location 1938 and had £627 of instalments owing to the Midland Railway Company [27]
Married Ivy Grace WARNER in 1927 [66]
Along with his wife Ivy adopted her niece Mary [P133]
In 1927 purchased a new 20-35 horsepower Rumeley farm tractor from local agent Lyndon W. RODGERS [4: 14-May-1927]
Had an account with Carnamah blacksmith, wheelwright and motor mechanics Henry Parkin & Son [53]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Winchester farmer John RAFFAN at the Winchester Cemetery on 9 October 1928 [4: 20-Oct-1928]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
Reported to have been "progressing favourably" after undergoing an operation for appendicitis on Thursday 6 June 1935 [5: 14-Jun-1935]
Attended the funeral of Carnamah agent William B. SHERIDAN at the Winchester Cemetery on 27 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Signatory of a petition to the Carnamah District Road Board in September 1936 requesting the extension of the new road [5: 25-Sep-1936]
They wanted the road between Lots M1090 and M1091 extended between M1084 and M1085, and M1086 and M1087 [3] [5]
If extended the road would then have intersected with the Carnamah East Road (now known as the Carnamah-Bunjil Road) [5]
The Road Board requested a deputation which comprised of himself and five others who met with the Board on 28 October [5]
At the meeting he said the settlers were keen enough to petition the Board for the road but were not prepared to pay for it [5]
The road wasn't made as the Board considered the road unnecessary and unfavourable as it would go through a farm [5: 6-Nov-1936]
Member of the Carnamah Golf Club in 1938 [4: 9-Jul-1938]
Vice President of the Billeroo Cricket Club in 1938 [0: image 03778]
Committee Member in 1946 and Financial Member 1946-1948 of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society [13] [58]
Passed away from heart failure at the age of 54 years at the Royal Perth Hospital, Perth [1]
Died 22 August 1947 in Perth; buried Winchester Cemetery, Carnamah (Row A, Plot 3) [1]
Rev. Gilbert S. FOSS was the officiating minister at his funeral, which was undertaken by A. E. DAVIES and Henry Parkin & Son [1]
His Castleside Farm was sold from his estate to H. Harold S. FOWLER of Winchester during the 1947-48 financial year [3]
In 1958 his niece Margaret I. C. LAWSON married Cecil H. FOWLER [66] and then lived on what had been his Castleside Farm [19]
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 29 August 1947:
Tom Lawson Passes
"Residents of the Carnamah and Winchester districts were shocked to receive the news of the death of Tom Lawson, of Winchester which occurred in Perth on Friday August 22. It is understood that the deceased had been in very indifferent health for some time past, and was in Perth receiving medical attention at the time of his death. The funeral took place at the Winchester Cemetery on Tuesday last."
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 5 September 1947:
Obituary - The Late Mr. Thomas Lawson of Winchester
"The late Mr. Thomas Lawson of Winchester, W.A., who passed away suddenly at Perth on August 22 was born in the Parish of Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire, Scotland. He came to Western Australia in 1911 and was engaged in company with his eldest brother David, in farming operations in the Kununoppin district, being amongst the first pioneers of that area. Just prior to his marriage, 20 years ago, he purchased his farm in Winchester which he worked until his death. For quite a number of years he had not enjoyed the best of health. His death came unexpectedly and suddenly, and the greatest sympathy is felt for his widow. At the time of his death deceased was 54 years of age. The funeral took place at the Winchester Cemetery on Tuesday last, August 26 after a brief service conducted by the Rev. Foss in the Presbyterian Church Hall at Carnamah. The Rev. Foss also officiated at the graveside. The chief mourners were Messrs. John and William Lawson (brothers), Charlie Sharp (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. Stewart (brother-in-law and sister). The pall bearers were Messrs. W. and C. Chapman, J. L. Adams, G. B. Raffan, G. Atkinson and H. E. Fowler."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Thomas Lawson' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 24 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/thomas-lawson [reference list] |
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