TL2020

The Lawton & Bracey History by John Lawton

John Lawtons introduction email to Lemsford local History Group in December 2020

Good day to you. My name is John W. Lawton. As I approach my 80th year I have been increasingly interested in my family history. On my mother’s side, the May’s I have already found out a lot. My father’s side, the Lawton’s very little. From his old army service book I found out he was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire on 28th January 1907. Using that information I applied for a copy of his birth certificate. This shows his family were living in Lemsford. My father was Arthur George Lawton. His father’s name was George Lawton and his mother was Jane Lizzie Bracey. Bracey was difficult to read from the certificate.

Sadly my father seldom talked about his family. I would love to know more. I was born in July 1942 and my father was called up in October 1942. It was a few years until he came back from the fighting in the far east. Then he was away from home for long periods finding work around the country. I joined the army early 1962 in the old Essex, Beds and Hertfordshire regiment. (East Anglian). I saw even less on my father from then.
Hoping you can help, kind regards from John Lawton in Sunny Cyprus.

In the last 3 years john has produced a comprehensive family tree and A complete history of his family. Below are links to both documents

Family Tree

A complete history of Lawton & Bracey family

This page examines the life of The Lawton & Bracey History by John Lawton

Both families attended St Johns School

St Johns School Lemsford Info

Lemsford Local History group have decided to dedicate 2022 to working with St John’s School to celebrate the school’s 150-year anniversary. This website is also dedicated to this special year. On the 4th of March 1872, the first entry in the Head Teacher’s Log Book was made by Mrs Mary Seaman, first Head Teacher. On that day, seventy-seven children, ranging in age from three to thirteen, were enrolled. They were divided into two classes - one being taken by Mrs Seaman and the other by her husband Walter, her assistant. They were all taught in one room, the room now used as the dining room in the oldest part of the school. The school was approved by the Government on the 16th of May 1872. We hope the school, local community, and anyone with an interest in St Johns school will Contribute Articles, memories, and images to this Website. Email info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk