TOPIC:

Hello,
I have just found an old photograph of my grandfathers taken at Standerton, Transvaal, but there are no details on it except 'for Charlie Lawn'
Just throwing it out there in the hope that someone may recognise the men or have a similar photograph.

Many thanks,
David C Lawn

Hi David
Welcome to the forum.
Is Charlie Lawn your G Grandfather?
I have found a Charles Lawn who served in the Royal Field Artillery regimental number 10345. A collier and a Yorkshire chap who served in South Africa late 1902 . Could this be one of your relatives in the picture?
Dave......

Hello Dave,

Many thanks for your prompt and informative response and for your time but I do not have a connection for this person.

I am mainly looking for James Charles Lawn born 1863 Fritton. Parents Clement Waters Lawn and Martha of Fritton, Suffolk.
James Charles was brother to my grandfather- Charles Robert Lawn (Bn 1879). Not to be confused with the James Lawn’s of Ireland, or James Lawn born 1863 of Rumburgh who died 1894.
I cannot find any trace of James Charles after 1881 in London.
There were two other brothers, Herbert George (Bn 1867) and Thomas William (Bn 1870).
Again with Herbert George no trace after 1891 – London, this is not the Herbert George Lawn of Heigham, Norwich. Nor of Cirencester (born Lincoln), or the Cattleman on the Liverpool – New York run.
Similarly no trace of Thomas William after 1901 at Cheveley.
Thomas William Lawn is not the person of the same name from Heigham, Norwich, Different parents. Neither of Brixton, London - Father: Robert Lawn Mother: Mary Ann Hull, nor of Dalton, Lancs.
I have checked Census, passenger lists, army / death records, newspapers for all three, but have been unable to find any solid connection after the given dates.
Charles Robert joined the 2/4 OBLI 1915 and was POW 1917.

Once again, many thanks for your time,

Kind Regards,

Dave Lawn

Hi Dave
Thank you for the update. I will have a look over the weekend and see if I can help with James Charles Lawn. Are there any military connections for him?
The photograph you posted . In my humble opinion I think the uniform may be artillery. Is it possible your Grandfather had the photograph passed to him due to the same surname?

Your Image

Hi Dave,
No military connection with James Charles. He was a groom in London so the only connection is horses. Thomas William was a Stableman on the Cheveley estate.
Just found the attached photo, a friend of Charles Robert, so my mother tells me.
He looks like an older version of the standing man in the Standerton photo.
I'm thinking he could be a friend of Charles who survived the Boer War and then joined OBLI. The cap badge is similar and Charlle may have met him through the regiment.
Looks like he's been promoted.
Cryptic message on the back. Does it mean 'please return the photograph' or 'please come home' ? Different handwriting on the Standerton photo. No address.
Regards,
Dave