Ernest Lawson

Husband of Ethel Harriet Josephine (Marsh) Lawson — married 31 Oct 1903 in Tasmania, Australia

Died 6 Jul 1932 in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia

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Biography

Name

Ernest Lawson

Birth

Date:

Place:

Death

Date: 6 Jul 1932

Place:

Burial: Devonport General Cemetery Devonport, Devonport City, Tasmania, Australia ^[1]

Marriage

Date: 31 Oct 1903

Place: Tasmania, Australia

Spouse: Ethel Harriet Josephine (Marsh) Lawson (1885-)

Children

Elsie Mae Lawson (-1930)

Marjorie Linda Winseman Foot Lawson (1906-)

William Alfred Lawson (1908-)

Edward Jess Lawson (1910-1930)

Tasman Standley Lawson (1913-1994)

Newspaper Clippings

Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954) Wed 6 Jul 1932 Page 6

DEVONPORT TRAGEDY. ^[2]

Victim Had Been Depressed.

Át the Devonport court-house last evening an inquest was oponed concerning the tragic death of Ernest Lawson, moto body builder, and repairer, whose body was found in the shop on the preceding night. Colonel J. P. Clark was coroner, and tho police were represented by Inspector Pemberton. Tasman Stanley Lawson (19), motor mechanic, said he was a son of tho deceased, and had identified the body in the morgue. He had last seen his father alive at 6.50 the preceding evening, when he left the kitchen after having had tea with the family. He seemed to be in his usual health. His father had been in partnership with Hr. Prank Luck until three months ago. A few nights previously witness heard his father say that with Mr. Luck he was taking stock of the goods of the partnership with the intention of selling them. His father and Mr. Luck had not been good friends owing to competition in oxywelding, but they were always on speaking terms. His father was 51 years of age, and had not been in good health since thc time his son and daughter had been killed in a collision between the train and a motorcar in which they were driving at a Spreyton crossing some two years ago. Depression in trade seemed to have affected his health lately, and had caused him to be very despondent. Witness said he had not heard his father threaten to take his life. The Winchester rifle found near tho body had been purchsed by his brother who was killed two years ago, and since that time it had been used by a younger brother. Generally it was kept at the home in Oldaker street, but a month ago he noticed that it was on a shelf in tho workshop. He could not say where tho ammunition was or who obtained it. After an order for burial had been given the inquest was adjourned until 1l a.m. to-day.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Wed 6 Jul 1932 Page 7

DEVONPORT TRAGEDY ^[3]

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.

Before Colonel J. P. Clark, at Devonport last night, an inquest was opened concerning the death of Ernest Lawson (51), motor body builder, of Devonport. Deceased was found in his Shop the preceding night with a bullet wound in the heart. Tasman Lawson, son, said he saw his father alivo at 6.50 on the night of his death. He had not been In good health since his son and daughter had been killed in a level crossing accident two years ago, and depression In trade had caused him to be Very despondent. He had not heard him threaten to take his life. The rifle found near the body belonged to the family, and had been on the shelf In tho workshop for a month. The inquest was adjourned until 11 o'clock this morning.

Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954) Wed 6 Jul 1932 Page 5

SHOT THROUGH HEART ^[4]

DEATH IN WORKSHOP

The linquest into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Ernest Lawson at Devonport on Monday nigeht was opened by the coroner (Mr. J. P. Clark), at Devonport yesterday. Mr. Lawson's son said his father had been in good health, though he had never quite recovered from the loss of his son and daughter In a motor accident at Spreyton in March, 1930. His father had been in partnership with Mr. Frank Luck. but the partnershlip had been dissolved some time previously. He had gone to the workshop to take stock with Mr. Luck. There was a .22 calibre Winchester repeating rifle on the shelf of the workshop, but witness could not say whether any ammunition was kept at the shop. The rifle was generally kept at home, but his brother had used it about a month ago, and had left it at the workshop. His brother was about 15 years of age. An order was then given for burial, and as it was ascertained that the funeral had been arranged for 3 o'clock to-day, it was decided to resume the inquest at 11 o'clock this morning. Mr. Lawson was folund dead In his workshop with a bullet through his heart.

Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954) Thu 7 Jul 1932 Page 4

Funeral Obsequies. ^[5]

The funeral of tho late Mr. Ernest Lawson took place yesterday afternoon, interment being in tho general cemetery, Devonport. The chief mourners were the two sons. Tho carriers were Messrs. W. Williams, P. Walker, R. Beaumont and M. Hadfield. There was a large attendance, including friends from tho Ulverstone and Sheffield districts. The last rites wero recited by Rev. J. F. C. Ashworth.

General regret has been expressed at the tragic death of Mr. Lawson. He was well-known and respected, and was noted as a successful business man, and a competent tradesman. He was a native of Waratah, and served his time at Ulverstone, in the same shop as his former partner, Mr. F. Luck. One of his acquaintances said he was tho most skilled coach painter he had known, and when the demand arose for a variation of his activities, through the rise of the motor car, he was equal to the occasion, and in other years the business of the firm was one of the largest on tho North-Wost Coast, and extensive buildings wore erected. One of the brothers lost his life at the war. The Iate Mr. Lawson's mother lives in Melbourne, and she arrived in Devonport yesterday.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Thu 7 Jul 1932 Page 8

DEVONPORT SUICIDE ^[6]

Inquest Concluded Some Remarkable Evidence

Before Colonel J. P. Clark, at Devonport yesterday, the Inquest was concluded Into the cause of the death of Ernest Lawson (51), motor body builder, of Devonport, who was found dead In his workshop on Monday evening. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned. Remarkable evidence was given by Frank Luck, a former partner of Lawson In the coachbuilding and motor body trade, to the effect that Lawson had made a serious onslaught on him with a wooden mallet. Luck appeared In Court with his head bandaged. Several letters were produced, which indicated that the writer had contemplated suicide, and one testified to his relations with Luck being amicable. Luck said he had a conversation with Lawson about 5.30p.m. on Monday, when they agreed to meet at 8 o'clock that night at Lawson's office to take stock. They went into the trimming room, where the stock was kept, and Lawson stood on a bench and handled the stock on the shelves. He produced'a roll of carpet, and witness commented that it was a bit short, and asked Lawson if anything had been cut off It. The roll was supposed to contain five yards. Witness took the carpet, and measuring It, found there were but three yards in it. He then remarked, "I suppose it is two yards you have used." He took out his notebook to record the fact, when he was suddenly conscious of a violent blow on top of the head. Looking up, he asked Lawson why he liad done it. He saw a wooden mallet in his hand, and by his looks and gestures he deemed it best to escape. Hu ran round the bench to the door, some yards off, and as he was leaving the door he recelved a staggering blow on the back of the neck. Lawson did not speak to him during the attack. He said he had previously been good friends with Lawson, and they had dissolved partnership because of the business dropping back. Everything was squared amicably, and only the stock was left to be disposed of. Inspector Pemberton stated that he visited Lawson's office about 9.5 p.m. on Monday, and found his body, lying face upwards, with a small rifle across the body, apparently dead. In a pocket of a coat hanging on the wall were a number of rifle cartridges, also a letter addressed to Mr. Frank Luck, explaining In a friendly way his actions. Dr. Addison's evidence was to the effect that the bullet had passed through both valves of the heart, and death had been instantaneous.

Notes

There is another son (according to funeral notice was attended bu two sons)

One of his brothers died in the war.

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196062740/ernest-lawson: accessed April 24, 2024), memorial page for Ernest Lawson (unknown–6 Jul 1932), Find a Grave Memorial ID 196062740, citing Devonport General Cemetery, Devonport, Devonport City, Tasmania, Australia; Maintained by Julie Henderson & Lacey Milier (contributor 49446508).
2. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67957803
3. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/24703077
4. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51807282
5. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67958187
6. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/24716169