Name
Lawrence (Laurence) George Tabner
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
03/07/1943
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Marine
CH/X.108416
Royal Marines
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
S.E. Extn. Grave 192.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St. Saviour's Church Memorial, Hitchin, Hitchin Roll of Honour 1939 – 1945 (Book) St Mary’s Church, Hitchin
Biography
He was educated at St. Mary's School, Hitchin and played football for both the school and the Hitchin Boys' Club. Before joining the Marines he was employed by Shelvoke & Drewry in Letchworth as an assistant buyer. He was a gifted pianist and played in the ‘Rhythm Aces’ Dance Band.
He joined the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Marines in March 1942 and was given the Service Number CH/X 108416. During a field firing exercise on the south coast he and Marine Guy Davey were operating a 2" mortar. On firing a shell it exploded only 6ft away from them, killing both men. At the inquest it was thought that either the shell had exploded after striking some nearby bushes or that the ammunition itself was faulty. A marine officer expressed the view that he thought the latter unlikely.
His funeral took place on the 9th July 1943 in St. Saviour's Church, Hitchin and he was buried in Hitchin Cemetery Grave 192, Southeast Extension.
His home was at 9, High Dane, Walsworth, Hitchin and his parents were George William and Christina Tabner.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Paul Johnson - local historian, Herts & Beds Express dated l 7th July 1943
