L/Cpl 26644 Stanley Lawton

• Age: 19
• From: Walton, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.K.14

Stanley was born in Walton 26th December, 1896 the 2^nd eldest son and fourth of eight children born to Joseph, a Wheelwright, and his wife Jane (nee Postlethwaite), and was baptised 14th January 1897 at St Mary’s Walton on the Hill. His parents had married on 11th July 1886 at St Marys, Edge Hill. Stanley was educated at St Lawrence Church of England School, Croylands Street, Kirkdale. The family were living at 7 Langham Street.

The 1901 Census shows that the family were living at 69 Olney Street, Walton. Stanley's father, Joseph, is aged 41 and a wheelwright, his mother Jane is 35. They live with their children; Sarah Ann May 13, Flora 9, Ethel 8, Joseph 6, Stanley 4, Ruth 2, and Fred Victor 3mths (all born Liverpool). They also had a child Charles born 1889 who died in 1892.

In 1911 the family were living at 10 Willaston Road, Walton. Father Joseph is now 52 and a blacksmiths wheelwright,  whilst mother Jane is 47. They have been married or 25 years and have had nine children of whom 8 have survived. Those children listed in the household are; Florence 19, Ethel 18 and a drapers machinist, Joseph 16 is a merchants office boy, Stanley is 14, Ruth 12, Fred Victor 10 and Ada 8. 

Stanley enlisted in Liverpool joining the 17th Battalion as Private 26644.

He had reached the rank of Lance Corporal when he was killed in action on 27th June 1916, aged 19. There is no service record available but his medal card shows that Stanley was awarded only the Victory and British War medals - possibly because he enlisted too late to qualify for the 1914-15 Star because of his age.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions.

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

Stanley was one of those referred to in the diary who was killed in action on 27^th June 1916, aged 19.

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening News on 12th July 1916  

"Lance-Corpl.Stanley Lawton,17th King's (Liverpool Regiment), who lived at 10,Willaston-road,Walton, killed in action. Educated at the Liverpool Collegiate School, he passed all exams,winning the senior Oxford with honours, also the Matriculation examination with honours, and commenced his commercial career with the Sea Insurance Company,Ltd.,having a promising career."

Also the Liverpool Echo 11th July 1916

LAWTON - July 1, killed in action, aged 19 years, Lance-Corporal Stanley Lawton, third son of Mr Joseph and Mrs Lawton, 10 Willaston Road. Walton. (Died for King and Country, deeply mourned by his Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers).

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Jane. 

On the anniversary of his death, (his family believed he was killed on  01st July although official records note his death as 27th June 1916) his family placed a notice in the Liverpool Daily Post 02nd July 1917.

LAWTON - In loving memory of our dear beloved son Lance-Corpl. Stanley Lawton (K.L.R.), aged 19 years, who was killed in action July 1, 1916, and buried at Maricourt. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Deeply mourned by his Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers, 10 Willaston Road, Walton.

Grateful thanks are extended to Ancestry member d410evans for sharing Stanley's photo and Memoriam Card:-

In Loving Memory Of

Lance-Corporal Stanley Lawton,

The third beloved son of Mr and Mrs J. Lawton,

Aged 19 Years,

Who was killed in the Battle at Montaubon in France on July 1st 1916.

Oh Jesus I Have Promised

To serve thee to the end;

Be Thou forever near me

My Master and my Friend !

I shall not fear the battle

If Thou are by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway

If Thou wilt be my guide.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

10 Willaston Road, Walton

Stanley is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool Collegiate School 

St Luke’s Church, Walton

His father died in the December quarter of 1934 aged 75. His mother died in the June quarter of 1955 aged 90.

We currently have no further information on Stanley Lawton. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.