First Ship: SS Dearne - 22 February 1944. He joined in London as deckboy, this ship was used in Normandy.

Second Ship: HMS Ruler (Royal Navy) - Christmas 1944 - joined in Greenock, Scotland

George Lawson recounted in January 2001: 'I trained on the training ship 'Vindicatrix' at sea school in November 1943-44. Departed London 20 February 1944 to proceed to Iceland to pick up cargo of wet fish. My first ship was SS Dearne, I joined as Deck Boy on 22.2.1944. Then I joined the Liberation of Europe on 27.6.1944. I signed off 27.9.1944. Then joined the Fleet to France, Arromanches Harbour.

I signed on to sail on Royal Navy ships on a T124X agreement as Merchant Navy Rating and pay. We wore Royal Navy uniforms as I was under 18 and I had to join as a Galley Boy. I think I arrived aboard HMS Ruler an Escort Carrier in Greenock, Scotland on December 1944. I served 12 months on her joining the British Pacific Fleet in Australia and served up the Pacific Islands, Leyte, Okinawa. We went into Tokyo to sign peace terms with the Fleet. Arrived back in UK December 1945. Rejoined HMS Ruler to take US military back to USA in January 1946.

I rejoined HMS Ruler on 31.1.1946 and took her back to Norfolk, Virginia Naval Base, carrying 400 USA naval troops. I came back to the UK on HMS Fifeness on 22.3.1946. Dispersed 23.3.1946 and was demobbed on 18.5.1946 from HMS Mersey, Class A. George Lawson.

Cenotaph record initially prepared with the serviceman in 2001 AWMM