My brother Kenneth and I

I was born during World War II, on Easter Sunday/ANZAC day, April 25th 1943, which just happens to be the latest date upon which Easter Sunday can fall. I was baptised at the Mossley Market Place Methodist Chapel in accordance to my father’s wishes in May of that year.

My Family History

My family lived at No.9 Cemetery Road, Micklehurst [Photo], in the town of Mossley, Lancashire - a small industrial town in the North West of England, once famous for it's numerous Cotton and Woolen Mills. I attended All Saints (Church of England) Primary School in Micklehurst from 1947 until 1954 [School Photo-2], [School Photo-3] from where I qualified for a Secondary Technical education at the Ashton-under-Lyne Secondary Technical School in Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.

On leaving Secondary School at the age of 15, I initially got a job working for Bert Greaves, on Fold Farm in Carrbrook, Stalybridge; before starting an apprenticeship as a Motor Vehicle Mechanic with "Raymond Plant & Sons" at the Reliance Garage, in Lees Road, Hurst Cross, Ashton-under-Lyne; which was quite a distance by bicycle from my home in Mossley. I made the move back to Mossley, when a place became available at "Buckley Brothers Motors" at Station Garage in Mossley. Where I eventually completed my apprenticeship at the age of 21 in 1964.

Marriage and Family

On September 23rd 1966 I married Irene Buckley, youngest daughter of Luke Gordon Buckley and Vera (Hooper) of Smithy Farm, Luzley, Ashton-u-lyne, Lancashire. The wedding ceremony was held at St. Georges Parish Church, Mossley and we moved into No. 650 Huddersfield Road [Photo] Heyheads, Stalybridge, Cheshire on that same day.

Our first child was Robert Lawton [Photo] who was born in Ashton General Hospital on January 23rd. 1968. and was baptised [Photo] at St. James' Parish Church, Millbrook, Stalybridge in February

Our second child, Faye Lawton [] was born on May 12th. 1970 at Ashton General Hospital and was also baptised at St. James Parish Church, Millbrook, Stalybridge in August.

Emigrated overseas

In January 1972 my small family and I emigrated to Christchurch, New Zealand and settled into a rental property at No. 5 Greendale Avenue, Avonhead, Christchurch. Here our third child Howard Buckley Lawton was born in St. Georges Private Hospital, Fendalton, Christchurch, on October 7th. 1973 and was never baptised at the time. [Photo]

In May 1976 we returned to live in England, only to find that we couldn't settle back there, as we all missed the temperate climate and quality of life that we had enjoyed in New Zealand, so we made the decision to emigrate to Australia, then, if things didn't work out there, we would cross the Tasman back to New Zealand.

We arrived in Perth, Western Australia on September 23rd 1977, and along with many other migrants from the UK were billeted at Graylands Migrant Hostel where we stayed for 12 months. We then moved to Woodlands in the Shire of Stirling, our children being educated at Woodlands Primary School and moving onto Churchlands Senior High School for their secondary education. We all prospered and have been here ever since.