Robert James Lawson
1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
IV Princess Louise Dragoon Guards
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
WW II
Robert (Bob) James Lawson was born on 20 September 1919 to Albert Lawson, who was born in New Brunswick and came to Manitoba in 1886, and Catherine Mason who was born in Scotland and came to Manitoba in 1914. Bob was born on Willowhurst Farm (east half of section 10-3-7) which was 2 ½ miles east of Darlingford on Highway No 3. He was the third oldest of seven children: Bert, Ruth, Robert, Ken, Ed, Glen (died in infancy) and Pearl.
Bob enlisted in the Canadian Military 04 January 1940 in Winnipeg. He received basic training and was shipped to England as a member of the VIII Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars a Regiment in the Armoured Corps. The regiment went to the United Kingdom in October 1941, spending time in training and coastal defence. In July 1941 the IV Princess Louise Dragoon Guards were looking for volunteers to fill out the ranks and were looking for volunteers from other regiments. For whatever reason it appears that Bob left the Hussars and volunteered to rebadged and join the Guards. As a result, he saw action months before his old regiment did.
On 13 July 1943, Trooper Lawson of the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, landed in Sicily and his regiment took part in virtually every major action in the Sicily campaign, which lasted 38 days. Immediately after the capture of Sicily the 4th PLDG were sent to Italy and landed at Reggio di Calabria on the Italian mainland 03 September 1943. The regiment fought in Italy until early 1945 and then were sent to North West Europe landing, 26 February 1945. The regiment spent 4 months in the North West Europe campaign and lost 187 men whereas they had only lost 150 in all of 1944 in Italy. The Regiment finished the war in Rotterdam, Netherlands and was disbanded in December 1945.
Bob was discharged early 17 July 1945 to enable him to return home to the pending death of his father. His rank at discharge was Trooper and his Tradesman Qualifications were Driver Operator in the Armoured Car Division or in civilian terms a wireless radio telephone operator. As Bob was ambidextrous, he was able to receive messages and write them out in shorthand while he was sending a message with the other hand in Morse code. He was a man of few words when it came to talking about his war experiences but was proud of the fact he fought for his country and that he had two brothers (Ed and Ken) who also enlisted as soon as they were able. Unfortunately, Ken was killed in action. Bob and Phyllis were both proud Canadians.
On 12 January 1946 Bob married Phyllis Gibbs and together they had four daughters: Sandra, Jo-Anne, Roberta (Bobbi) and Laurie. They resided in a few places before they settled back on Willowhurst Farm where their children were raised. Bob was a mixed farmer and drove a school bus for many years. He was also the caretaker of the skating rink (indoor and outdoor) in Darlingford for many years. In 1981 the farm was sold and Bob and Phyllis moved to Morden. Bob was the Facilities Manager at the Access Events Centre until he retired in 1987. In his retirement he was an enthusiastic gardener, curler, golfer, and camper as well as a great Husband, Dad and Grandpa. He also became a member of the Morden Legion which is something he had spoken about doing for many years. In his later years Bob struggled with chronic health issues.
Robert James Lawson died 18 June 1998 and is buried at the Darlingford Cemetery.
Information supplied by the family and the IV Princess Louise Dragoon Guard archives.