The Upfill-Brown Collection

A good Boer War Victoria Cross group awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Tom 'Posh' Lawrence for gallantry while serving with the 17th Lancers in South Africa

VICTORIA CROSS, reverse of suspension bar engraved (Sergt. T. Lawrence, 17th Lancers), reverse centre of the cross dated 7th Augt. 1900; QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (3934 Serjt., V. C., 17/Lcrs), official correction to initial and unit; 1914 MONS STAR (R. M. & Lieut, V. C., 18/Hrs); BRITISH WAR and VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (Capt.); JUBILEE 1935; CORONATION 1937; Iraq, KING FEISAL'S WAR MEDAL; Sweden, OLYMPIC GAMES, STOCKHOLM 1912, silver medal; the group on a contemporary court mounting, very fine and better (9)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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Tom Lawrence V. C.

Lieutenant-Colonel Bryan Turner Tom Lawrence ,V.C., was the son of John Turner Lawrence of Lower Park House, Bewdley, Worcestershire, and was born on 21 October 1873. He was educated at King Charles The First's School, Kidderminster, and enlisted into the 17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers, at Preston, on 21 February 1894. He was promoted Corporal on 10 November 1897, and proceeded to South Africa with the 'Death or Glory Boys' on the outbreak of war. Between February and May 1900, Sergeant Lawrence took part in operations in Orange Free State, including the actions at Vet River, on 5 and 6 May, and the Zand River. He then served in operations in the Transvaal, being present at the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill. In early August, he was serving with the Lancer Brigade chasing De Wet, when, on the 7th, he was sent out on patrol, with three other men, from a picket covering Essenbosch Farm at daybreak. While scouting two or three miles to the front, Sgt. Lawrence and Private Hayman were fired upon by a party of Boers, estimated to be twelve or fourteen strong, who came galloping down from ahill beyond. Hayman's mount was hit, and, in falling, threw its rider, dislocating his shoulder and rendering him hors de combat. At once Lawrence dismounted and dragged Pte. Hayman from under the wounded horse, and helping him to his own horse, fastened the reins to the saddle, telling the Private to hold on for his life. This done, Lawrence pointed the horse in the direction of the picket and gave the beast a vigorous kick to start him off. Then, using Hayman's carbine as well as his own rifle he kept up a steady fire keeping the Boers in check until the Private was safely out of range. Maintaining his fusillade, Lawrence commenced his two mile withdrawl on foot, pursued throughout by a dozen of the enemy. Eventually, reached by a rescue party from the picket, he succeeded, with their assistance in driving off the Boers. It was the opinion of one witness, Captain D’Arcy Legard of the 17th Lancers, that without the 'gallant conduct and ready comphrension of Sergt. Lawrence, Private Hayman would certainly have been captured by the enemy. ' Another witness, a Lancer Subaltern, went further and stated that he considered 'Sergt. Lawrence saved Pte. Hayman's life by his gallant and unselfish conduct. ' Either way, Lawrence's valour was recognised with the supreme award of the Victoria Cross, which he received from the hands of the King, in London, on 12 August 1902. During the remainder of the South African war, Lawrence took part in the operations in Orange River Colony, being present in the actions at Bethlehem, Wittebergen, and Caledon River, and in the operations in Cape Colony.

He subsequently became Squadron Sergeant Major (Rough Rider) at the Cavalry Depot, Canterbury, where he was dubbed 'Posh' Lawrence, a sobriquet which apparently bespoke his character. On 15 October 1904, after ten years and 237 days in the ranks, he was appointed Riding Master in the 18th Hussars with the Honorary rank of Lieutenant. During opening months of the Great War, he was severely wounded in France but sufficiently recovered to do duty with the general staff. In 1918, while serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, he was mentioned in Allenby's despatch of 3 April. His name appearing in a list of those 'whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty I consider deserving of special mention. ' Having received the Brevet of Major in 1917, he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, Iraq Levies, in 1923. 1925 and 1926 saw him raise a Kurdish cavalry regiment and command a mobile column on operations in East Kurdistan. After gainful employment in the early years of the Second World War, Col. Lawrence was made a Military Knight of Windsor in recognition of his many services. Besides being renowned for his Victoria Cross exploit, which one commentator aptly described as having a 'true British ring' about it, Tom Lawrence was also well known in equestrian circles, having represnted England at the International Horse Show and at the Olympic Games in Sweden. Widowed in 1944, Lt. -Col. Lawrence, V.C., died in retirement at Nakuru, Kenya, in 1949.