George Edward Lawrence (1891 - 1915)

Born 1891 in Hull, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Died 25 May 1915 at about age 24 in Battle of Bellevaarde Ridge, Ypres Belgium

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Biography

Birth 1891 Hull

George Edward Lawrence was born early in 1891 in Hull, Yorkshire, England. ^[1] George Lawrence is a fairly common name, so it was difficult without further research to be certain that George Edward Lawrence born in Hull early in 1891 was Captain "B" Lawrence of the 4/1 East Yorkshires killed near Ypres in 1915. It is certain that B Lawrence was really called George as Cecil Slack identified Captain B Lawrence in the Battalion War Diaries with the George Lawrence who he had trained with and fought alongside only weeks earlier. ^[2]

Son of a rich Starch Manufacturer 1901 Hull

The 1901 census goes a long way to satisfying a researcher that this George Edward Lawrence is the right man. Like several of the other officers he comes from a very posh home in the area near Pearson Park, Hull. His father is a starch manufacturer, not a professional man, but his mother has a Companion as well as three adult servants living in. ^[3]

1/4 Battalion East York Regt 1914-15

George Edward Lawrence joined the East Yorkshire Territorial cadre of 29 officers training in Newcastle on Tyne at the very start of World War One. His rapid promotion from Lieutenant to Captain is a clear sign that he was not a new recruit. ^[4] Battle of St Julien (opening Second Ypres). Captain Lawrence with the other 1/4 East Yorkshires arrived in the second line near Ypres, Belgium fresh from training on 23 April 1915 under cover of darkness at 10 p/m. Immediately the next morning they found themselves in the front line as they and the Canadian Division ahead of them had been outflanked by a German Gas Attack which destroyed the French Algerian Division alongside them . They joined a counter-attack, losing their Commanding Officer and two of their four Company Commanders within an hour. On 4 May 1914 they were withdrawn to the General Reserve, having lost 18 of their 29 Officers and about 400 of their 1000 other ranks in the fierce fighting. This opportunity to recover, and to integrate replacement officers and troops did not last long. Battle of Bellevaarde Ridge 1915 (closing 2nd Ypres) The Battalion were moved back into the line of battle at the end of May, in theory merely backing up an attack by a cavalry unit. Losses were substantial, including Captain Lawrence ^[5] The confusion over Lawrence's initial is a result of new officers, unfamiliar with the old hands taking over the records, but the error persists into the Roll of Honour both at the Menin Gate and in Hull.

Sources

1. ↑ freebmd Births Mar 1891

   Lawrence George Edward Hull 9d 292

2. ↑ Cecil M Slack and the Officers of the 1/4 East Yorkshire Battalion -- Letters and notes edited by his daughter-in-law Lady Joan Slack and published in an abbreviated form in East Yorkshire Historian (Journal 2019)
3. ↑ 1901 Census : 165 Beverley Road, Sculcoates, Yorkshire, England

   Head George Thomas Lawrence 42 blue starch Manuf. b Hull

   Wife Aldline Lawrence 42 b Hull

   Son George Edward Lawrence 10

   Son Ernest Lawrence 8 b Hull

   Daughter Beatrice May Lawrence 4 b Hull

   Daughter Josephine M Lawrence 2 b Hull

   Companion Mary Gray 32 Lady's Helper b Barton on Humber

   Servant Maria Christian Landren 42 housemaid b Sweden

   Servant Ellen Mills 42 cook b Manchester , Hulme

   Servant Ellen Crompton 33 nurse b Hull

4. ↑ London Gazette 13 Oct 1914, dated from 15 Sept 1914
5. ↑ War Diaries of the 1/4 Territorial Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment 25 May 1915 : Captain B Lawrence was with C Company in a trench between Hooge and Sanctuary Wood when he was wounded in the thigh and subsequently died.