ATTWOOD, Lawson

Lawson Attwood was the son of John and Clara Attwood of 21 Park Lane, Netherend, Cradley. He enlisted in the Warwicks, probably in 1917, and was posted to the 16th Battalion. In the Spring of this year they were engaged at Vimy and in October were sent to the Third Battle of Ypres. The Warwicks were in the front line for the big attack of the 9th October and were successful in reaching the grounds of Polderhoek chateau. This advance was vigorously contested by the enemy and, despite further efforts, the chateau was not captured. The last battle for the chateau on the 6th November was the final battle of the Ypres campaign. Further north the Passchendaele ridge was taken but the Polderhoek stalemate remained. Five days later, probably in routine shelling, Private Lawson Attwood was killed. He was 19 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Cradley and Halesowen Memorials.