Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Colour Sergeant W. Lawrence, 4th Hussars, later Royal Engineers

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Jowaki 1877-8 (No. 1427 Lce. Corpl. W. Lawrence, 4th. Q.O. Hussars.) contemporarily renamed; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, date clasp a tailor’s copy (16373 Co. Sjt. Maj: W. Lawrence R.E.) engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (16373 C.S. Maj: W. Lawrence R.E.) engraved naming, mounted as worn and suspended from a triple width silver riband bar, good very fine (3) £300-£400

William Lawrence was born in Mexico ‘of British parents’ on 22 June 1855 and was educated at the Kings School, Sherbourne and Clifton College, Bristol. He attested for the 4th Hussars at Canterbury on 5 June 1875, and served with the Regiment until August 1879 when he was discharged by purchase intending to proceed to Mexico. From 1 March to 7 April 1879 he had held the appointment of Lance-Corporal. Whilst he saw service in India he seems to have had no campaign service. The India General Service Medal included with his group has been renamed and there is no evidence for its award to him in any official papers; certainly, the 4th Hussars were not present in the campaign under their own badge.

Subsequently re-joining the Army, Lawrence was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1893, and was subsequently appointed to the permanent staff of the Royal Anglesey Royal Engineers as Colour Sergeant. In this capacity he served in South Africa during the Boer War. He was discharged in 1903, whilst serving with the 3rd Lancashire Volunteers, R.E., after a total of 28 years and 87 days’ service.

Following the outbreak of the Great War Lawrence was appointed Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant of the 6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 3 October 1914, serving in this capacity at home until 6 February 1918, and being promoted to Honorary Captain on 3 October 1917. A supporting letter from the Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers concerning his appointment in 1914 mentions that he was over age (he was 56 at the time), but had passed his medical. He also mentions experience as Quartermaster of a large instructional camp in Chatham. He died on 1 July 1922.

Following the recipient’s death, his wife petitioned the War Office, as she felt that his death was aggravated by his service but no pension was granted. Her letter to the War Office also mentions his India General Service Medal.