Edward Lawson (VC) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edward Lawson
Born	(1873-04-11)11 April 1873 Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Died	2 July 1955(1955-07-02) (aged 82) Walker, Northumberland
Buried	Heaton Cemetery, Newcastle upon Tyne
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	Gordon Highlanders
Battles/wars	Tirah Campaign Chitral Expedition Second Boer War World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross

Edward Lawson (born April 11, 1873 – died July 2, 1955) was a brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage in the face of the enemy. This special medal is given to soldiers from Britain and Commonwealth countries.

Lawson was a Private in the 1st Battalion of The Gordon Highlanders, a famous British Army regiment. He earned his Victoria Cross during the Tirah Campaign in India.

Lawson's Victoria Cross displayed at the Gordon Highlanders Museum.

A Heroic Act: The Dargai Heights

On October 20, 1897, during a battle at the Dargai Heights, Private Lawson showed incredible bravery.

He saw Lieutenant K. Dingwall of the Gordon Highlanders, who was wounded and couldn't move, stuck in heavy gunfire. Private Lawson bravely carried the lieutenant to safety.

Even though it was very dangerous, he went back into the fight. He then rescued another soldier, Private McMillan. During these rescues, Private Lawson himself was wounded twice. His actions saved two lives.

Life After the Battle

Private Lawson continued to serve in the army until 1902. Later, he joined the Northern Cyclist Battalion as a Sergeant. He served with them before and during World War I.

After the First World War, Edward Lawson lived with his family in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Remembering a Hero

You can see Edward Lawson's Victoria Cross today. It is displayed at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland.

There are also two memorials in Newcastle upon Tyne that honor him:

• A bench in Old Eldon Square, near the war memorial.
• A memorial outside the Discovery Museum, dedicated to all Newcastle soldiers who received the Victoria Cross.

Edward Lawson's Medals

Edward Lawson received several important medals for his service. These medals show the different campaigns and wars he fought in.

Ribbon	Description	What it's for
	Victoria Cross (VC)	Awarded in 1897 for extreme bravery.
	India Medal	Given for service in India. Includes clasps for the Tirah Campaign (1897-98), Punjab Frontier (1897-98), and Chitral Expedition (1895).
	Queen's South Africa Medal	Awarded for service in the Second Boer War. Includes clasps for battles like Transvaal, Driefontein, Paardeberg, and Cape Colony.
	King's South Africa Medal	Also for service in the Second Boer War. Includes clasps for South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.
	Territorial Efficiency Medal	Awarded for long and efficient service in the Territorial Force.