Lawton Keir Rodger
Rank: Lieutenant
Date of Death: 15/01/1919
Theatre of Death: Home
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Cemetery: Rutherglen Cemetery
Additional information: Son of Adam Keir Rodger and Amy Lawton Rodger of Avonholm, Rutherglen.
Rutherglen Lore information: Son of Ex-Provost and Mrs Rodger, Avonholm.
Members of the 113th (Burnside) Scout Troop: Lawton Keir Rodger was one of three brothers in this family who were members of the 113th Scout Group and who served in the war. In the 1901 census they are shown as living in Prestwick. William Keir Rodger was born on 17 January 1890, Lawton Keir Rodger was born on 24 May 1892 and John Keir Rodger was born on 11 August 1899. Their father was Adam Keir Rodger, an Insurance Manager, and their mother was Amy Jane Rodger nee Lawton. There must have been a connection with Rutherglen before they moved here as all three boys were born in Rutherglen, the elder two at Park Villa and the youngest at Avonholm, which was later where the family lived. Avonholm is at 1 Milrig Road, which is at the highest point of Mill Street.
The elder two were are listed as leaders with the 113th while John is listed as one of the Scouts. This is found in the Patrol Leaders’ Roll of Honour, which was published in 1920.
Lawton Keir Rodger was commissioned into the 2nd Lowland Field Company Royal Engineers on 5 May 1915 and is listed as serving with them until 1915 based at the Drill Hall in Rutherglen. In October 1915 he moved to the 1st Lowland Field Company based in Coatbridge. During this period and up to January 1918 he seems to have been based in various battalions of the 1st and 2nd Lowland Field Companies of the Royal Engineers but it is unknown if he ever served in any of the fields of conflict. Lawton was awarded the Silver War Badge on 4 July 1918. This was given to people who were invalided out of the forces for whatever reason. It was given for two reasons, to pay tribute to their service and secondly so that they were not pilloried in the street, and given a white feather as some may have seen them as shirkers. Unfortunately, Lawton died in January 1919 from influenza. There was a worldwide epidemic of influenza at the time and it took the lives of millions of fit able bodied men and women. Lawton is listed on his death certificate as an Analytical Chemist and died at Avonholm. The witness to the death was his brother William.
1901 census information:
Address: Walmer, Prestwick.
Father: Adam K (46) insurance manager, born about 1855 in Greenock.
Mother: Amy L (34) born about 1867 in Ayton.
Brother: William K (11) born about 1890 in Rutherglen.
Self: Lawson K (8) born about 1893 in Rutherglen.
Brother: John K (1) born about 1900 in Rutherglen.
1911 census information:
The family are living in Rutherglen. The family comprises Adam K 56, Amy J 44, William K 21, Lawson K 18 and John K 11.
Newspaper transcript –Rutherglen Brothers Wounded on the Same Day. Provost Rodger, of Avonholm, Rutherglen, has received intimation from the War Office that both of his sons have been wounded. His elder son William, is a second lieutenant in the Scottish Rifles. He was educate in Glasgow Academy, and is a member of the firm of Messrs Oatts and Rodger solicitors, Glasgow. He is hospital in Cairo. The younger son, Lawton, also a Glasgow Academy boy, is a second lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and is in hospital in Port Said. Prior to the was he was chemist to Messrs Smith and Rodger, paint manufacturers, Elliot Street. It is understood the injuries are not serious.
Newspaper transcript: Rutherglen M.P.’s Son. Enlisting in 1914, Second Lieutenant Lawton K. Rodger, second son of Provost Rodger, M.P. for the Rutherglen Division of Lanarkshire, has died at his home in Rutherglen following influenza.
Second Lieutenant Rodger, saw a good deal of service in Egypt, where he suffered from shell shock, and was invalided home. In civil life he was an analytic chemist with Messrs. Smith and Rodger, Elliot Street, Glasgow.
Also commemorated on the memorial at East Parish Church, Rutherglen, the 113th Scout Hall, Rutherglen and Cathkin Braes Golf Club, Rutherglen.
