| John Augustus Lawson
An Able Seaman J.A. Lawson arrived in Australia on the ship Cairnbulg on the 7th of January 1876 aged 32yrs. (Jenny Scadden)
Pulled & Beat the Russians, 1882. - The Nelson's Cutter Crew.
John Augustus Lawson 2nd from left in top row.
The Argus, 8 July 1939
Photo: Jenny (Boyd) Scadden (John Lawson's Great Grand-daughter)
Details of 1882 Russian Squadron Visit.
OBITUARY.
JOHN AUGUSTUS LAWSON.
John Augustus Lawson, ex lighthouse.keeper, "Cape Otway", John street, passed to the beyond. He was a very old and respected resident. Born near Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1844, he was 75 years of age at the period of demise.
He came to Williamstown in 1869 in the large clipper ship Lady Jocelyn, and joined the Government marine survey service under Captain Stanley, being attached to H.M.S. Pharos and H.M.S. Nelson. At a later stage he became attached to H.M.A.S Cerberus for some 13 years, and ultimately transferred to the Ports and Harbounr Department in the lighthouse section.
For a period of 18 years he was stationed at Cape Otway, and happened to be on shift when the new and powerful light was installed at that headland. After leaving Cape Otway he was stationed for various periods at Queenscliff, Warrnambool, and lastly at the Point Gellibrand light. During his sojourn at Cape Otway he was instrumental in rendering, with others, assistance to a family which happened to be on board the ketch Emily, owned by Captain Pidoto, when that vessel went ashore and was wrecked. At 62 he left the service on pension. The late Mr. Lawson has a son, Private W.T.B Lawson, attached to 4th Field Company of Australian Engineers, who has been on active service for three an a half years in Egypt and France.
The remains were interred in the local cemetary on Thursday afternoon, when there was a large funeral. The pall-bearers were Messrs. J. McNiel, T. Seabridge, G. Bond, J. White, H. Norgate, A. Anderson, W. P. Senior and J. Pitt. Rev. F. Lynch officiated at the graveside.
Williamstown Chronicle, 25 January 1919 |
