| Surname: | Lawrence |
| Initials: | E |
| Rank: | Acting Sergeant |
| Army Number: | P/8087 |
| Notes: | MMP. From Canterbury. Awarded the 1914 Star with clasp (12049) and rose, Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (1) France, 14/8/1914. 23/4/1900 he enlisted as a Pte, 7 Dragoon Guards, No. 5083, born Farnham, Surrey, age 18.6 years, occupation Labourer, address: father, Bridge Square, Farnham, 1/10/1916 transferred to MMP, served in 18 Division, 9/10/1918 serving in Rouen, 31/7/1919 he was awarded £20 for the award of the DCM. Served Home 24/4/1900 to 4/7/1902, South Africa 5/7/1901 to 8/8/1902, Home 9/8/1902 to 23/4/1908, Army Reserve 24/4/1908 to 13/8/1914, BEF 14/8/1914 to 25/1/1919, Army Z Reserve 25/1/1919. 24/4/1908 he married Mabel Agnes Beaufield at St Peters Church, Bridge, Home address: Wife, 78 St Peters Grove, Canterbury, Kent. Edward Lawrence. Extract from the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 18 January 1919. REWARDS FOR GALLANTRY IN THE FIELD - D.C.M. AND MILITARY MEDAL PRESENTED TO A CANTERBURY POLICE CONSTABLE. An interesting ceremony which took place in the Parade room at Canterbury Police Station on Friday last, when P.C. Lawrence was presented by the Chief Constable of the City on behalf of the Military Authorities, with the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, for two conspicuous acts of gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with the Military Mounted Police in France. The two honours so gallantly won by Lawrence came to him for acts of gallantry performed within four days of each other. On March 25th last, for which act he was awarded the Military Medal, he was on duty upon the canal bridges at Varense near Noyanais, where he gallantry directed and controlled gun and munition transport over the bridge, under extremely heavy shell fire. The task was one requiring iron nerve and resolution and Lawrence never faltered in the duty allotted to him, despite the terrible bombardment of the bridge which continued the whole time. Then on March 29th and for this work he was awarded the D.C.M., he carried out a very trying and exacting task in connection with the retirement of troops, under very considerable stress of circumstances. Here again he demonstrated a determination and devotion to duty that won for him the admiration ans respect of his senior officers. P.C. Lawrence, who joined the Canterbury Police Force on the 18th of June 1908, came to Canterbury with an excellent military record. Eight years previously he joined the King's regular forces at Aldershot, being attached to the 7th Dragoon Guards. He was for some time attached to the Garrison Police at Canterbury and saw service with his regiment in the South African War. Upon the conclusion of that campaign he took his discharge and was on the Reserve. he was appointed to a vacancy in Canterbury Police Force in which he served until called up on the reserve upon the outbreak of war in 1914. The Force paraded at 6 O'clock on Friday to witness the presentation to PC Lawrence of the coveted awards he had received for his military services. The Chief Constable said he had been requested by the military authorities to present of behalf of His Majesty the King, the DCM and MM to PC Lawrence, who, until recently was serving as a Sergeant in the Military Mounted Police and he should have the greatest possible pleasure in doing to that evening. He could assure them that he felt honoured in being selected to perform that duty and he would add that it was the most pleasuring duty he had ever had to perform. He proposed at this point to read the extract from the Second Supplement of The London Gazette, dated the 3rd of June 1918. It ran: "His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of his Majesty's birthday to approve the undermentioned awards for distinguished services in connection with military operations in the Armies of France and Flanders and awards the Distinguished Conduct Medal to P/8087 L/ cpl (A/Sgt) E. Lawrence, Military Mounted Police, Canterbury. (Loud Cheers.) He (Mr. Carlton had in his possession the true abstract of that entry. The second extract from the London Gazette of the 29th of August 1918 and which ran:- "His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officers and men, E. Lawrence, MMP, Canterbury." (Loud Cheers.) They were all doubtless well aware added the Chief Constable that PC Lawrence joined the Canterbury Police Force on the 8th June 1908 and served until 5th of August 1914, when he resigned to rejoin his Majesty's Forces in France. He knew they would thoroughly agree with him that their comrade had done his duty, not only whilst serving the the army, but also in that Force. excellently. He (Mr Carlton) was proud of the fact that he was a member of that Force and he knew that they too were proud of Lawrence and his record. (Applause.) The citizens of Canterbury would, he was sure feel grateful to Lawrence for the gallant services he had rendered to the Empire during the greatest war that had ever raged. He might add that Lawrence, immediately on his release from the Army, applied to him (the Chief Constable0nto rejoin the force and he had pleasure in stating that he hoped to commence his duties in the course of a few days. (Applause.) Mr. Carlton then handed the constable the DCM and the Military Medal and said he hoped that Lawrence would live long to wear them. P. C. Lawrence, who was accorded a very hearty reception, modestly acknowledged the compliment that had been paid him and said he had not done more than his duty. He hoped that he would continue to do his duty while he was a member of th Canterbury Police Force. (Applause.) Inspector Smith added a few words of welcome to P. C. Lawrence on his return and bore testimony to the efficient way in which Lawrence carried out his duties as a member of the Canterbury Police Force. Sergeant Ewell and P.C. Reynolds also congratulated Lawrence and expressed the pleasure they felt at seeing him among them again. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette: 30716 Page: 6480 June 3, 1918) |
| Citation: | MMP. Notification of DCM. L/Cpl (A/Sgt). |
| Decoration: | Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette: 30961 Page: 12353 Oct. 21, 1918) |
| Citation: | MMP. From Canterbury. DCM Citation.P/8087 LANCE CORPORAL (ACTING SGT) E LAWRENCEMILITARY MOUNTED POLICEFor conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He did very good work while in charge of stragglers' posts and also when in charge of a detachment of MMP who were patrolling the forward area. He showed a thorough grasp of a situation, and always performed his duties in a masterly way. |
| Decoration: | Military Medal (London Gazette: 30873 Page: 10126 Aug. 29, 1918) |
| Citation: | MMP. |
| Decoration: | Queen's South Africa Medal (London Gazette: WO100/113 Page: 249 April 20, 1903) |
| Citation: | Clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 & South Africa 1902, awarded as Pte. 7 Dragoon Guards, No. 5083. |