According to Irene Elliot of N. Zealand, great-granddaughter of John Gawn and Sarah Jane Wilson, Sarah Jane Wilson was an antecedent of Major W. G. Wilson C. M. G. who was overseer of the development of the army tank during the first world war. A newspaper report of the time stated that “Major Wilson rendered as the Admiralty Overseer exceedingly valuable aid in constructing the machine. A gentleman of high scientific attainments he proved himself a devoted colleague of Sir William Tritton in solving the great landship problem”.

A cousin of Major Wilson was Field Marshall Sir Henry Wilson.

Two of John’s sons, Thomas and James emigrated to N. Zealand and lived there the remainder of their lives.

John lived and worked on the most easterly of the three farms that were mentioned in the original lease to James Gawn of Donegore. it was eventually sold by John Gawn, a grandson in the 1960,s when he retired from farming.