Lawson, J. A. (John Augustus?)

J. A. Lawson, Leydsdoorp, Transvall, South Africa.

This could refer to Captain John Augustus Lawson, Scout/Sergeant/Lieutenant/Captain (AO281 13:2:01): He served in the British South Africa Police during the 1896 campaign in Rhodesia against the Matabele and the Mashona and again during the 1897 campaign in Mashonaland. He earned the British South Africa Company's Medal with reverse for Rhodesia and the bar 'Mashonaland 1897'.

Previous Anglo-Boer War service as Trooper n/n with E Squadron, Colonial Scouts from 5 December 1899 to 19 March 1900 and also had service as a Scout with the Field Intelligence Department. He was one of the original six scouts who accompanied Steinaecker on the Komati Poort expedition (22 March 1900 to 17 July 1900) to blow up the railway bridge there. Steinaecker sent him on ahead to Palata, the plantation of John A.Major on the Lebombo Range in eastern Swaziland. He arrived at John Major's house in time to help him fight off a Swazi impi which was engaged in the 'smelling out' and 'killing off' resulting from the death of the Swazi King, Bhunu. Lawson shot dead one of the Swazi warriors just as he was attempting to stab his assegai into John Major. Joined SH (Steinaecker's Horse) on 16 September 1900. Promoted to Captain on 8 August 1901 (AO428 7:10:01). He resigned his commission when the regiment was disbanded on 7 February 1903. Qualified for the QSA medal with clasps Relief of Ladysmith & Transvaal and his KSA with the two date clasps (illustrated at Fig 85, p233 of above book) was issued from the SH roll. Lawson died in 1939.