Pte 16827 George Arthur Lawrence

• Age: 21
• From: Everton, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 28th May 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.F.10

George Arthur Lawrence was born in the December quarter of 1894 in Everton, Liverpool. He was the son of George Hall Lawrence, a medical label writer for a wholesale druggist, and his wife Annie Emily Ellen Tyrer (née Blease) who were married in the December quarter of 1891 in West Derby. He was the second of four children, three of them girls, Gertrude, Kathleen and Dorothy.

His mother’s first marriage, as Bleaze, was to Charles Glover Lawrence on the 31st March 1890 at St. Thomas' Church, Melling. Charles was full age, a ship steward of Halton, his father, Joseph Willcott, was a warehouseman, whilst Annie was also full age of Melling, her father, John, was a plumber. Charles sadly died aged 27 a few months later on the 29th May 1890 of acute inflammation of the brain whilst a second steward aboard the S.S. “Maskelyne” in Rio De Janeiro. The “Maskelyne” was a passenger-cargo steamship for the Liverpool, Brazil & River Plate Steam Navigation Company(managed by Lamport and Holt). Annie must have been devastated to hear the news so soon after the birth of their daughter Marion Glover.

Their marriage was reported in the Liverpool Mercury, on Wednesday, 02nd April 1890;

MARRIAGE.

LAWRENCE-BLEAZE - March 31, at St. Thomas' Church, Melling, by the Rev. J. K. Glazebrook, Charles Glover Lawrence, second son of J. W. Lawrence, of Liverpool, to Annie Bleaze, only daughter of the late J. R. Bleaze, of Liverpool, and grand daughter of T. S. Tyrer, of Melling.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 22 Skerries Road, Liverpool. His father, George, is aged 34, born in Liverpool in 1867 is a medical label writer. His mother, Annie, is aged 36, born in 1865 in Liverpool and she has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census they have five children who were all born in Liverpool. Their children are Marion, who is aged 10, born in 1891, Gertrude, who is aged 8, born in 1893, George, who is aged 6, Kathleen, who is aged 2, born in 1899 and Dorothy, who was born in 1901.    

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 22 Skerries Road, Liverpool. His father, George, is now aged 44, and is still employed as a medical label writer and his wife Annie, is aged 46 and she has no occupation listed. They have been married for nineteen years and the Census shows they have had four children. The 1911 Census has Marion, who is aged 20, and is employed as a typist recorded as being their niece. Their four children are still living at the home address, Gertrude, who is aged 18, is a costume saleswoman, George, (listed as Arthur) is aged 16, and is a mechanical engineers apprentice for a ships telegraph company, Kathleen, is aged 12 and Dorothy, is aged 10 are both at school.

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on the 03^rd September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16827. He gave his age as 19 years 11 months and his occupation as an electrician. He was described as being five feet six and half inches tall, weighed 116lbs, with a chest of 34", he had a fresh complexion fresh, hazel coloured eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and as his next of kin, was his father George, of 22 Skerries Road.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

07.11.15: He embarked for France with his battalion.

21.02.16: To Field Ambulance with Measles.

23.02.16: Returned to duty.

He was killed in action on 28^th May 1916, aged 21. 

He was to serve a total of 1 year and 268 days.

He now rests at Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery. (Grave II F 10).

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross. The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.. 

He was reported killed in the Liverpool Echo on th 07th July 1916;

LAWRENCE - May 29, in his 22nd year, George Arthur Lawrence (Arthur), Liverpool Pals, dearly loved only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, Skerries-road, Anfield.

LAWRENCE - May 29, killed in action, aged 21 years. Arthur Lawrence (Liverpool Pals), only brother of Marion Lawrence.

Also in the Daily Post on 28th July 1917; 

Roll of Honour – Lawrence – In loving memory of our dear son George Arthur Lawrence (KLR) killed in action May 28 1916 in his 22nd year. 22 Skerries Road. Lawrence – In loving memory of our dear brother Private Arthur Lawrence KLR killed in action May 28 1916. Ever remembered by his sisters “Sans Changer”

His family remembered him on the first anniversary of his death with a family notice placed on the 28th May 1917;

LAWRENCE - In loving memory of our dear son, George Arthur Lawrence (K.L.R.), killed in action May 28, 1916, in his 22nd year. - 22 Skerries Road.

LAWRENCE - In loving memory of our dear brother Private Arthur Lawrence (K.L.R.), killed in action May 28, 1916. "Sans Changer."  - Ever remembered by his Sisters

He earned his three medals.

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £2 5s 11d and £7 10s War Gratuity were sent to his father. A Pension gratuity was awarded to his mother, Annie, 22 Skerries Road.

His personal items returned included:- wallet, belt, tin box, purse, key, watch and strap (broken), steel mirror in case, 3 photos, and a crucifix. 

On the 1921 Census at Skerries Road, father George is aged 54, a sundries man for Druggists Evans, Sons, Leacher and Webb, Hanover Street, mother Annie is aged 56, and Kathleen 22. 

His father, died, aged 68, in 1935.

On the 1939 Register at 47 Rockbank Road, Tuebrook, his widowed mother, Annie, date of birth the 04th October 1864, is living with daughters Marion and Dorothy.

She died, aged 94, in 1959 in Birkenhead.

Probate:-

LAWRENCE Annie Emily Ellen Tyrer otherwise Annie Emily Ellen of 334 Woodchurch Road Birkenhead widow died 14 March 1959 at Wirral Lodge, Mount Pleasant Birkenhead Administration (with Will) Chester 8 April to Gertrude Finn widow. Effects £82 6s. 4d.

The family grave is at Anfield Cemetery.

16812 LAWRENCE. (C.19.692)

Small upright white stone, curved top. In / loving memory of / George Hall LAWRENCE, / who died 5th Sepr. 1935, aged 68 years. / Also Dorothy, daughter of above, / who died 3rd February 1944, aged 43 years. / Also Annie E. E. T. LAWRENCE, / beloved wife of above / who died 14th March 1959, aged 94 years.

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