• John Lawson returned to the Liverpool waterfront with his daughter Dawn for a final trip on the Royal Iris of the Mersey during the vessel’s last week of service.
• The visit marked a special homecoming for the Birkenhead-born former Merchant Navy sailor, whose father and grandfather both served as crewmen on the original Birkenhead Ferries starting in the 1920s.
• During their visit, the family was invited onto the bridge to meet the captain and reflect on the deep historical connection between their maritime heritage and the iconic river service.

Birkenhead-born John Lawson returned to the Liverpool waterfront for the first time in many years this week with his daughter, Dawn, to visit the Royal Iris of the Mersey. The trip took place during the vessel’s final week of service, making it particularly special journey for a family whose history is tied to the river.

From the 1920s onwards both John’s father, Bobby Lawson, and his grandfather, Robert Lawson, were crewmen on the Birkenhead Ferries – one of the original cross-river operations pre-dating the modern Mersey Ferries service.

Left: John and Dawn Lawson boarding the Royal Iris; Right: Mersey Ferries Captain Jack Easdown with John

Growing up on the Wirral and then in Liverpool during the years following the Second World War, John was surrounded by Bobby’s deep passion for boats and sailing. He recalls that his father even built a model ship in the cellar of their family home in Anfield. However, the project was so ambitious that once finished, the boat was too large to be removed from the house in one piece.

John eventually followed this family path to the sea by joining the Merchant Navy. His career took him far beyond the city, working on ships travelling to West Africa, the Arabian Gulf and the East Coast of America.

Despite his later international travels, John still recalls the simpler days of his youth on the Mersey Ferries. He remembers a trip to visit an aunt in Birkenhead when he fell asleep in the sun on the deck only waking up later to find the ferry was already heading back toward the Pier Head.

Left: John’s father Bobby Lawson and family; Right: Robert Lawson, John’s grandfather

Though he moved from the Liverpool City Region to Aberystwyth in mid-Wales many years ago, John never truly left his maritime roots behind and still pilots his own boat today.

During their visit, John and Dawn were invited onto the bridge of the Royal Iris to meet Captain Jack Easdown. They discussed how the maritime world has changed over the last half-century and how important the Ferry ‘cross the Mersey remain to the life and identity of the area.

For decades, the vessels have been a vital part of the City Region’s heritage. As the Royal Iris prepares to retire, the Lawson family’s visit served as a reminder of the generations of local people who have kept the Mersey Ferries running.

Dave Poole, Mersey Ferries Customer Operations Manager, said: “We were so happy to welcome John and Dawn on board during this final week of service for the Royal Iris. It was a privilege to hear John’s memories of the ferry and learn more about his family’s long connection to the river. Both visitors mentioned how much they enjoyed their time on board and thanked our staff for going above and beyond to make it such a special experience.”