Lawrence Symon’s father, John Symon, was born in Dunbar, East Lothian, in 1843. In 1861 John Symon was an Engine-Smith, living in St Vigeans, by Arbroath, Angus. He married Elizabeth Crawford on 18th October 1869, in Perth. Elizabeth Crawford was born in 1841 in Montrose, Angus, the daughter of John Crawford, a Stoneware Merchant, and Jean Clark. John Symon studied at the University and New College, Edinburgh. He became a missionary, first at Newtongrange, Dalkeith; and then at New Row, Perth. Having gathered a congregation in Perth, he was, by leave of the Assembly, ordained, in 1881, as first minister.

John and Elizabeth Symon had eight children: David Lindsay Symon, b. 13th January 1871, Perth; Elizabeth Crawford Symon, b. 13th September 1872, St George, Edinburgh, and died the same year; Alice Mary Symon, b. 4th January 1874, St George, Edinburgh; Helen Chalmers Symon, b. 1876, St George, Edinburgh; Marjorie Stewart Symon, b. 23rd May 1879, Perth; John Crawford Symon, b. 1883, Perth; Lawrence Chapman Symon, b. 16th November 1884, Perth; and Elizabeth Dewar Symon, b. 20th March 1887, Perth.

Lawrence Symon enlisted in the 33rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, on 31st March 1915 in London, Ontario. Before he enlisted he was employed as a Locomotive Fireman. He later transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment as a reinforcement. Lawrence Symon married Catherine McIndewar, in Dumbarton, on 15th January 1917.

Extract from the Regimental History of the Royal Canadian Regiment, by Robert Collier

“On August 15, while the Regiment was training at Lapugnoy, the Canadian Corps, in its first major operation under General Currie’s command, attacked and captured Hill 70 in the Lens area, the assault being delivered by the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions, with the 4th Canadian Division co-operating on the right."

“21st August. Upon completion of the relief, the Regiment began a 4-day tour of duty more arduous than any it had experienced for a long time. The capture of Hill 70 had stung the Germans, who, angered and apprehensive of further attacks, subjected the Canadian line to hurricane bombardments at intervals. Under the lash of these, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies in the front line and ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies in support carried out work on the repair of shattered trenches."

"Few permanent repairs could be effected, however, as strong parties were required each night to bury the dead, who lay thickly in the open and in ghastly heaps in many of the trenches. "In addition to the burial of these men of other battalions, the Regiment buried a number of its own dead, from among its casualties, which totalled 7 other ranks killed, 9 other ranks fatally wounded, and Lieut. E. B. Corsan, Lieut. R. England and approximately 30 other ranks wounded.”

While there is no definitive record of how, or when, Lawrence Symon lost his life, it is likely that he died during this tour of duty. He was 32 years old.

Lawrence Symon is also commemorated on the Dumbarton War Memorial.