South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 20219 George Gerald LAWRENCE - 1st/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment

Killed in action on Thursday 9th November 1918 aged 32


Military History

     
Theatre of War Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Thiepval Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 January 1916 in France ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington St. John's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Battle of the Somme After 9th November 1915 in Leamington Spa  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Le Sars Pte 29141 Royal Engineers   
     

Circumstances of Death

George is listed as being killed in action on 9th November 1916. A brief report in the Leamington Courier states that George was "coming out of a trench when a bomb dropped on him blowing him to pieces" an event witnessed by one of his colleagues. The 1st-4th Battalion war diary entries for the period 8th to 10th November 1916 are transcribed below.

Le Sars – 8 Nov 1916: dispositions unchanged. Enemy artillery very active during the day. At 5pm enemy commenced very heavy bombardment on all of our positions continuing until 7pm. Casualties very slight. Lt E.M. Matthews killed, Capt E Wookies & Lt Phippen wounded.

During the night situation normal, trenches in a very bad condition.

Le Sars – 9 Nov 1916: Dispositions unchanged. Enemy artillery fairly active. Orders received for relief. Weather very much improved. Battalion relieved by the 5th Battalion Warwick Regt. Battalion goes back to Nort Camp, Peake Wood, Contalmaison.

Lt Clark killed and Lt Laughland wounded during relief.

Le Sars – 10 Nov 1916: In camp. Men spend the day in drying and cleaning. Weather good Lt Phippen died of wounds.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jan-Mar Qtr 1884 in Leamington Spa  02 Mar 1884 at Leamington Spa, St John
   
Parents Names Abode
George William and Clare Lawrence 43 Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa 
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Patience Lawrence nee Baker Bessie born 25 Feb 1916
Oct-Dec Qtr 1911 in Leamington Spa  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1884 - 13 Scotland Place, Leamington Spa 1891 - School age 
1891 - 34 St. Georges Road, Leamington  1901 - Bricklayers apprentice
1901 - 34 St Georges Road, Leamington 1911 - Bricklayer
1911 - 1 Scotland Place, Leamington Spa  1914 - Bricklayer for Thomas & Sons Builders
1916 - 203 Rugby Road, Leamington Spa   
   
  • Member of the Operative Bricklayers' Society
  • Chairman of the Leamington United Building Trades Committee and "prominent trade unionist"