Military Chat

I am trying to find the record of a relative who was in the RFC prior to and during WW1. I know he spent time in Scotland and Canada. Has anyone any ideas on the best way to proceed
Thanks in anticipation
H Anderson

What was his name?

You might find this page useful.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/royalflyingcorpsairmen.htm

His name was Walter Lawson born 1891. He survived the war and I believe he was a flight sergeant

Where was he born?

This one is born in Canada, 1892, so probably not your man?

Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950

Name: Walter Brogdin Lawson
Birth Date: 11 Nov 1892
Birth Location: Toronto, Canada

The image says he was born 11th Nov 1892 at Toronto Canada

Lawson, Walter Brogdin

"Ridgemere" Barrie Ontario Canada

Nationality : British

Rank or Profession Flight: Sub-Lieut R N A S

Certificate taken on : Caudron Biplane

At: Royal Naval Air Station, Eastchurch

Date: 18th July 1915.

Ancestry has other records for this guy that I can't access as I don't have worldwide membership, and as he has a different birth year to your chap, I don't know if he is the right man.

Walter Brogdin Lawson
Canada, Soldiers of the First World War, 1914-1918

Walter Brocdin Lawson
Canada, Ocean Arrivals (Form 30A), 1919-1924
Walter Brocdin Lawson

Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935

Walter Lawson
1911 Census of Canada

He appears on naval lists as being part of the naval wing (R N A S) of the Royal Flying Corps:

Name: Walter Brogden Lawson
Year: 1917
Book Title: Navy List: August, 1917
Archive Name: Peter Singlehurst

31st Dec 1916 Flight Lieutenant (tempy)

-----------------------------------------

Name: Walter B Lawson
Year: 1916
Book Title: Navy List: October, 1916
Archive Name: Peter Singlehurst

Walter B Lawson Rank FSL Seniority 31st may 1915 (Tempy)

and a couple of others in similar vein

UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972

Name: Walter B Lawson
Medal or Award: Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal
Service Year: 1914-1920
Service Location: Europe
Campaign or Service: World War I
Service number: R N A S

His rank is listed as Flt. Cr. R N A S on the image

The National Archives have this record, just in case Walter Brogden Lawson is your man:

Name Lawson, Walter Brogdin. Date of Birth: 11 November 1892.
Air Ministry: Department of the Master-General of Personnel:
Officers' Service Records. Name Lawson, Walter Brogdin.
Date of Birth: 11 November 1892.
Collection:Records created or inherited by the Air Ministry, the Royal Air Force, and related bodiesDate range: 1918 - 1919 Reference:AIR 76/291/31Subjects:Armed Forces (General) | Air Force

You can download the record for £3.30 directly from the url below :

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D8283202

The preview shows 4 pages of documentation for him (obscured till you pay for it!).

This is the info that MIGHT be contained in that 4 page record

"What information do the records contain?

The records usually provide the following information:

full name

date and place of birth

next of kin

occupation

date of commission

subsequent promotion(s)

the units the officer served in (including the dates he joined and left the units)

the date the officer relinquished his commission, his date of death or his retirement date

The records may also contain the following information:

details of specialist courses attended

information about the type of aircraft flown

details of any honours and awards and the dates they were announced in the London Gazette

next of kin (although the relationship may not always be specified)

In the case of aircrew, the record will note any Royal Aero Club certificate numbers and the dates they were granted."

I'm hoping despite the difference in birth year that you gave, that this is your man as I can't find anything else that fits.

Kucinta

I have no idea if this burial is related to Walter Brogden Lawson, age is a couple of years out:

Name: Walter B Lawson
Event Type: Burial
Event Date: 19 Jun 1928
Event Place: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Gender:
Age: 35
Birth Year (Estimated): 1893
Birthplace: Toronto
Cemetery: Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Cemetery Section and Lot: C 7 5
Plot Owner's Name: Geo Crane
Relative's Name: Anna Lawson
Relative's Address: Oakville Ontario
Page: 208
Line Number: 50288
Volume Date Range: Volume 04, 1920-1931
GS Film Number: 001617217
Digital Folder Number: 004455465
Image Number: 00651

Canadian census 1911:


???

Name: W B Lawson<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1911
Event Place: York North, Ontario, Canada
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Birth Date: Nov 1892<<<<<<<<<<<<
Birthplace: Ontario
Household ID: 27
GS Film Number: 002418536
Digital Folder Number: 007526662
Image Number: 00759

Household Gender Age Birthplace

Head Q N Lawson M 55 Ontario
Son L Wallace Lawson M 26 Ontario
Son W B Lawson M 19 Ontario<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Wife A L Lawson F 55 Ontario
Daughter E A W Lawson F 19 Ontario
Son J T Lawson M 25 Ontario
Daughter Hellen W Lawson F 11 Ontario
Domestic Kate Connuchi F 59 Scotland
Son N N Lawson M 23 Ontario

Thank you so much for all your help but it is the wrong Walter Lawson. Our Walter was born and died in the UK but thanks again for your time and effort
Hilary

Sorry it didn't pan out.

Maybe someone else will have more success.