Name
Thomas Lawrance*1
1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/10/1916
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
36387
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
6th Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 11 D.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Tewin Village Memorial, St Peter’s Church Muster Roll, Tewin, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Thomas Lawrance was born in Stockton on Tees, Durham in 1880 the son of Mary Ann Lawrance and probably Charles Lawrance.
On the 1881 Census 7 month old Thomas was living with his uncle and aunt, Thomas and Sarah Lawrance at 9 Agnes Street, Durham.
By the 1891 Census he was living with his uncle Aaron Lawrence, mother and other family members in Village Street, Tewin (age 10), Although his mother remained in Tewin in 1901, Thomas was not living with her, but by the 1911 Census, he was back living with his mother, sisters and cousin at Tewin Green and working as a general labourer.
He was said to be living in Welwyn (prob. Tewin) on enlistment.
Wartime Service
Thomas enlisted in Hertford and initially served with the Hertfordshire Regiment under reg. no. 5913, later transferring to the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment.
He was killed in action and death was presumed on 17 October 1916, probably during the Battle of Ancre Heights. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Additional Information
*1 He is also remembered on the family grave in St Peter's Churchyard. His age differs on the MI inscription at Tewin, but is believed to be the same individual because of the connection with the other family members buried there. The inscription reads:
ALSO THOMAS LAWRANCE. KILLED IN FRANCE. AGED 44 YEARS.
There is doubt because officially Thomas is recorded as 37 years old which contradicts with the headstone.
Records seem to show that no one claimed the war gratuity or pay owing, however a pension card exists which shows that his mother Mary Ann claimed a pension of 4 shillings a week and gave her address as Tewin Green.
His name of Lawrance is sometimes spelt Lawrence or Laurence.
*1 Lawrance on family headstone
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
