| Michael Lawn was born at Urney, County Tyrone on 23rd December 1893.
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| His mother’s maiden name was Deveney. The townland of Urney is near Strabane and stretches across the counties of both Tyrone and Donegal. This may be the reason a marriage cannot be found in GRONI.
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| He had at least one sister. Known family: Mary Lawn (born 23rd May 1889), Michael Lawn (born 23rd December 1893).
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| His mother remarried, so this may explain why no census records can be found.
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| Michael Lawn lived at Blackhill, Cookstown. He worked at the nearby Adair’s Mill at Greenvale.
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| Michael was well known in the area as a football player. He had played with some of the local clubs including Greenvale Swifts where quite a few of his colleagues were reserve soldiers, including, John McCaffrey, James King and Paddy Corey.
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| Michael Lawn was 19 years old when he was called up at the outbreak of the First World War.
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| Private Michael Lawn had spent almost eight months at the front and was involved in several engagements with the enemy, before he was severely wounded in fierce fighting on the 16th May 1915 during the opening of the Battle of Festubert.
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| He was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station, situated close to Lillers, a town to the west of Bethune. Casualty Clearing Stations were situated here for most of 1915 and 1916 and again during the German Spring Offensive of 1918.
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| On the day on which he was wounded, 240 men of the 2nd Inniskillings were killed.
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| Private Michael Lawn was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of his wounds on the Monday 17th May 1915.
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| At a meeting of Greenvale Swifts Football Club which was held on Wednesday 9th June 1915, the following resolution was passed:
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| ‘That we, the members of Greenvale Swifts Football Club, express our deepest sympathy with the relatives of Private Michael Lawn, Blackhill, Cookstown, who was severely wounded on 16th May and died the following day. Michael Lawn was a worthy member of the above club. His position in the club was left back and he was a great sportsman and took a real interest in the game. He joined the Royal Inniskillings at an early age and we are all much grieved at his death. He was a thorough soldier. Signed by, James Field (Captain of the club) and John Cooney (Hon Sec).’
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 12th June 1915: Private M Lawn
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| The relatives of Private M Lawn, of the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who belong to Blackhill, Cookstown, have received information from the War Office that he died from wounds on the 16th May. Private Lawn was only nineteen years of age, was called up when war was declared, and he had been almost eight months at the front, and had taken part in several engagements. At a meeting of Greenvale Swifts Football Club, which was held on Wednesday, the following resolution was passed:
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| ‘That we, the members of Greenvale Swifts F. C., express our deepest sympathy with the relatives of Private Michael Lawn, Blackhill, Cookstown, who was killed in action at the front on 16th May.’
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| The late Michael Lawn was a worthy member of the above club. His position in the club was left back, and he was a good sportsman and took a real interest in the game. He joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at an early age. We are all much grieved at his death. He was a thorough soldier. Signed by James Field (captain) and John Cooney (honourable secretary).
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 12th June 1915:
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| LAWN – 16th May, Private Michael Lawn, No 4064, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers of Blackhill, Cookstown.
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'We mourn the loss of one so dear,
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So good, so kind, so brave,
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Who died on the battlefields of France,
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And lies in a hero’s grave.
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He’ll never see another fight,
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His earthly conflicts past,
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For folded in his Saviour’s arms,
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He’s safe, safe home at last'
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| Deeply regretted by his loving stepfather, mother, brothers and sisters.
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| Private Lawn is interred in Lillers Communal Cemetery, France.
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| Private Lawn is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph.
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