LAWRENCE, Henry

Henry, the son of Fanny Lawrence, was born at Hartley, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England about 1876.  For five years he worked as an apprentice Baker before coming to Australia.  He was working as a Farm hand at Oakwood, north of Inverell, when he enlisted in February 1916. He joined other district men to form the Second Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell together on 29 February 1916 on their way to the Narrabri and Armidale camps.

Henry trained at Armidale as a member of A Company Depot Battalion until his transfer in April to the 33rd Battalion 1 Reinforcements. They sailed from Australia in May 1916 on HMAT A74 Marathon, arriving in England nine weeks later.  Further training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain until he was transferred to the 1st Battalion and sent to France in September.  He was promoted to Lance Corporal in November 1918 and returned to Australia in July 1919 on the ship Aeneas.  During the 1920s he was a Farmer living near Grafton NSW.

Lance Corporal Lawrence is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll.