More about James Lawson

James Lawson   Black Watch

BLACK WATCH ROUT GERMANS,

SAYS WOUNDED DUNDEE SOLDIER

IN BRIGHT LETTER TO PARENTS.

A load of despairing doubt has been lifted from the minds of the parents of Private James Lawson, of the Black Watch, who reside at 3 Kincardine Street, Dundee.

In a published list of casualties Private Lawson’s name was inserted amongst the missing, but his parents have since received a letter from him, written from the Second General Hospital, Leeds, where he lies wounded, but otherwise well.

The note is full of that cheery optimism which is so characteristic of the letters of the British soldier.  Private Lawson says :—- “I write to let you know that I am in hospital in Leeds.  I am slightly wounded in the shoulder, as I stopped a German shell.”  He makes further light reference to his wound, and says he is expecting to be home to his wife in Glasgow shortly.  Describing his experiences, he says he passed through a dreadful time.  The Black Watch have done much heavy work, and they have systematically routed the Germans.  They were ten hours in the trenches at Ypres.  “I have read and heard about hell,” he goes on, “and I think now I know something of what it means.”  He assures his parents that he is quite ready to go back if asked to do so, but that he can’t understand any man who declares he is anxious to return to the dreadful work in the trenches.

Private Lawson enlisted in the Black Watch at Montrose in 1903, and for the past three years he has been a reservist.  He was employed as a commissionaire in Govan, and was married only a month before war broke out.  He is 28 years of age.

Dundee Courier 21st November 1914