| Lawson | William Arnold Webster | | Major | LAWSON, THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM ARNOLD WEBSTER, Major, was born 10 March 1864, youngest son of the 1st Baron Burnhtun and of Ethel Georgians, only daughter of B N Webster. His elder brother was the 2nd Baron Burnham, now created a Viscount. The Honourable W A W Lawson was educated at Eton and Sandhurst, and entered the Scots Guards in 1884; was promoted to Captain in 1897, and retired to the Reserve of Officers in 1899. He raised the 38th Company, Imperial Yeomanry, in 1899, and commanded the 10th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, 1900-1. He was present at operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900; operations in the Orange River Colony, May and June 1900; operations in Cape Colony, March 1900; operations in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony and Cape Colony, 30 November 1900 to May 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 7 May and 10 September 1901], received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, was promoted to Major, Reserve of Officers, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "The Honourable William Arnold Webster Lawson, Major, 10th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the King 29 October 1901. In August 1903, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. On the outbreak of war in 1914, he was called up as RSO at Paddington. In September 1914, he raised the 2/1st Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars. He was mentioned in Despatches in 1916; was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 January 1918, and received the War Medal. Colonel Lawson married, in 1887, Sybil Mary (whom he divorced in 1912), eldest daughter of Sir Frederick Marshall; they had two sons and two daughters: Edward Frederick, DSO, MC, Captain, Royal Bucks Hussars, Temporary Acting Lieutenant Colonel, 1/1st Middlesex Hussars (twice mentioned in Despatches), born 1890; William Bernard Webster, Lieutenant, Scots Guards (who was killed in action 22 October 1914, at Steenstraate), born 1893; Margery, married Captain J F Harrison, Royal Horse Guards, and Olive, married Major Jack Murray Smith, Royal Horse Guards.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | 10th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry |
