John K. Lawson

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Brigadier John K. Lawson (1887 - 19 December 1941) was the senior Canadian officer and commander of the West Brigade during the Battle of Hong Kong. He was the most senior officer to be killed in action during the battle and the highest ranking Canadian soldier killed in action in World War II.

1 Early career
2 Battle of Hong Kong
3 Links and references
4 External links

[edit] Early career

Lawson was born in Great Britain in 1887, and served in WWI, being awarded a Military Cross at the Battle of Passchendale.

When WWII broke out, he was Director of Military Training in Ottawa, and was given the command of the Royal Canadian Regiment and the other Canadian militia units who arrived in Hong Kong on November 16, 1941 as reinforcements for the British garrison there.

[edit] Battle of Hong Kong

The headstone of Brigadier J.K. Lawson.

After the forces defending Kowloon were withdrawn to the island of Hong Kong on December 11, 1941 General Maltby organized the defence of the island into two brigades, west and east. Lawson was placed in charge of the west brigade, which included the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Royal Scots, the Punjab Regiment (India) and the Canadian Signallers. The Japanese landed on Hong Kong island on December 18, 1941 with the intent to split the defenders in two. After fierce fighting, Japanese forces surrounded Lawson's HQ at around 10 a.m. on December 19th. Lawson radioed his commanders that he was going to "fight it out" and left his pillbox with a pistol in each hand, and was killed in the ensuing fight. [1].

When the Japanese arrived and found his body, they gave him a proper burial nearby as a respect due to his courage while facing his enemy (i.e. the Japanese). However, he was reburied at the Sai Wan War Cemetery after the war. The original headstone was destroyed and a memorial plate was erected by the Canadian Government at the site in 2005.