General News
5 December, 2023
Training base takes name of army giant
Almost 400 people took advantage of an open day at Horsham's James Lawson Training Depot to gain a brief glimpse of life in the Australian Army.
The Baillie Street site is home to the 128 Transport Troop and the 8-7RVR Charlie Company and will soon be the base for a new Horsham cadet unit.
Lieutenant David Herbert, Horsham platoon commander, said organisers were amazed that so many attended the depot open day.
"People know the depot is there and often see army vehicles on the road but know little about what goes on," he said.
"We were delighted so many took the opportunity to visit."
Secondary school-aged students interested in joining the cadets are welcome to join the Tuesday evening sessions.
The name of the training base honours English-born James Lawson, a former Rupanyup resident.
Lawson emigrated to Australia in 1905 and made Rupanyup his home, first as a hotel owner and then after returning as a World War I hero working as a stock and station agent.
In 1912 he was commissioned second lieutenant in the 19th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Victorian Mounted Rifles.
In 1914 he joined the Australian Imperial Force and embarked for Egypt with the 4th Light Horse Regiment which served dismounted at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, from May 1915 until evacuation.
From 1916 in Egypt he commanded C Squadron and then, on promotion to major, A Squadron.
On October 31 1917, while General Sir Edmund Allenby was planning his main advance on Beersheba through the heavily fortified Gaza area, Australian cavalry led by Lawson charged the Turks from the south-east.
Lawson's squadron and a squadron of the 12th Australian Lighthorse Regiment led the attack, storming the enemy trenches with spectacular success.
His leadership and personal valour in this key operation won him the Distinguished Service Order.
After the fall of Gaza his regiment joined Allenby's advance into Syria and linked with a force under Lawrence of Arabia to participate in the capture of Damascus in September 1918.
Lawson was active in civic affairs and was a Masonic Lodge master, sat on the Wimmera League Football tribunal for many years, was a volunteer fire fighter and supported Rupanyup Anglican Church.
In 1952 he retired to Melbourne, and died there in 1965.
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