John Lawrenson
John Lawrenson lived in Coppull during the 20th century, working at Blainscough Colliery and was on the 1901 Census as being as a “Pony Driver in Coal Mine” (looking after the Pit Ponies).
He was born in New Springs near Wigan in 1886, being the son of William (a Coal Miner) and Mary Elizabeth.
James married Margaret Sutton at Chorley in 1910 and they were recorded on the 1911 Census as living with her parents at New Row, Chapel Lane in Coppull; they had a son of four months, William. Upon enlisting at Chorley on the 21st September 1914 they had a young daughter, Ellen, and were living at 18 Ridings Row on Chapel Lane in Coppull. John’s brother-in-law, Joseph Sutton, also served in the Pals (more than likely they worked together and joined up together).
John Lawrenson was wounded at Serre on the 1st July 1916 and died of his wounds a few days later on the 4th at No. 4 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) at Beauval. He is buried in Beauval Communal Cemetery – the inscription on his grave stone reads “From memory’s place we never blot thee out, three little words Forget Me Not”.
