Name
William Lawrence
1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/10/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/29537
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HEESTERT MILITARY CEMETERY
A. 10.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
GOD IS LOVE
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Tilehouse St., Baptist Church War Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
William was born in 1899 in Hitchin and christened on 23 August 1899 at St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin, Hertford, his parents were George and Kate Lawrence.
In 1901 the family were living at 9 Russell Slip, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (31) and Kate (31), with George working as a road labourer for Hitchin Urban District Council.. Their children were: Lucy (9), Jack (7), George (4) and William (1).
By 1911 the family were living at both 9 and 10 Russell Slip, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents, George now working as a roadworker with steam roller for Hitchin Urban District Council. The census recorded they had been married for 22 years with 7 children, all living. Of the children listed above Lucy was now absent. The other siblings had been joined by Tomas (10), Mary (7) and Earnest (sic) (4).
He enlisted in Bedford on the 15th October 1917 and was given the Regimental Number G/29537. He was the last of three brothers to join the services.
Before the war he was employed as a pork butcher with Mr File of Bucklersbury.
Officially William was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts and enlisting in Bedford, Beds.
Wartime Service
He was posted to the 10th Battalion which was part of the 123rd Brigade of the 41st Division in XIX Corps of the 2nd Anny. He was killed in action in Belgium.
The date of his death coincides with an action involving the Battalion whilst in support at Ooteghem about seven miles south east of Courtrai as part of the Battle of Courtrai.
He was buried in Row A, Grave 10 in the Heestert Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Second Lieut. E. C. Edwards wrote stating that Pte. Lawrence was killed instantly. “As a matter of fact,” he stated “he was at my side when struck down. He had only three days previously promote been promoted by me. He was an exceedingly nice boy, and I am sorry that his young life should be so cut off. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your loss.”
Additional Information
His mother Mrs Kate Lawrence ordered his headstone inscription, while living at 9, Russell Slip, Hitchin, Herts., it reads: “GOD IS LOVE”.
After his death £13 1s 10d was authorised to go to George, his father, on 7 April 1919, this may have included a war gratuity of £5 10s.
His pension cards record that his mother was his dependant, living at 9 Russell Slip, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 7s a week from 13 May 1919.
William’s two other sons were serving Pte. G Lawrence in the Essex regiment who had been gassed in September 1918 and Pte. J Lawrence who had been in the South Lancs, but was discharged after he had a leg amputated through his wounds.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
