Herbert Lawrie
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Lawrie, a Scotsman from Edinburgh, was in the Royal Navy in 1861. On the 7th April his R N ship, Mars, was at anchor in Palermo Bay. It was probably whilst in the forces that he married his wife, Lucy, as their first child, Andrew, was born in Gibraltar in 1865. John Lawrie and family must have left the Royal Navy about 1867/8 as shown by the birth of Henry in London in 1867, Rosa and Annie born in Skelbrooke, Yorks, in 1868 and 1870. In 1881, they were living in Upper Hallam, Sheffield, where Herbert was born in 1877 and John had turned his hand to make his living as a coachman. They moved by 1833 as their next son, Hugh, had been born in Worksop on that date and by 1891 they were living in 62 Park Street, Worksop and where Charles Lawrie had been born there in 1888. The Lawrie’s eventually settled at 28 Ryton street in Worksop. There were two of the Lawrie’s sons who were to die in the war, Hugh, who in 1901 was working as a groom at Scofton on the Osberton estate. He married Ethel Rosella Marshall on 1st July 1905, making their home in 8 Park Place, Worksop. He later became a chauffeur prior to enlisting on the 13 Nov 1914.The other son was Herbert Lawrie. In 1891 he was employed as a plumbers apprentice He joined the army in 1900 and also married to his wife Mary with whom he had 3 children. He was discharged on 1st April 1919 and awarded a Silver war badge.
Squadron Sergt-Major Herbert Lawrie Worksop Guardian 6 June 1919 It is with deep regret that we record the death of Squadron Sergt-Major Herbert Lawrie, 8th Hussars, 2nd Reserve Cavalry Regiment, husband of Mrs Lawrie, 3 Fairlight Place, Tivoli, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, third son of Mr and Mrs John Lawrie of 28 Ryton Street, Worksop, which took place at Cheltenham on Friday at the early age of 42 years. The deceased soldier, who was well known in Worksop, was formerly in the employ of Dr Walker of Worksop, and later was removed to Clapton with that gentleman, but subsequently enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry. Mr Lawrie who was regarded as a particularly smart soldier, served throughout the whole of the South African War. In fact he enlisted about eighteen years ago, in 1900 to be exact, and rapidly gained promotion. Early in the war he saw service in France and wore the much honoured 1914 medal. He served with distinction throughout the whole of the war, and in 1918 was mentioned in despatches for consistent good work in his responsible position. Mr Lawrie was invalided home from France in February, and on his retuning to England , has been constantly in hospital. Eventually he was a patient at the General Hospital, Cheltenham, where death took place, as stated, from heart trouble. He was discharged from the Army in April, and his certificate testified that he was, “thoroughly honest, sober and reliable and there is no record of any crime during his lengthy service. His conduct has been exemplary for 18 years.” Mr Lawrie, who was a smart, well conducted man, enjoyed much popularity in Worksop, and his death will be greatly deplored. He leaves a widow and three children, to whom much sympathy will be extended in their bereavement. Our readers will also join in sincere sympathy to the deceased’s parents; their fourth son, Mr Hugh Lawrie, it will be remembered, was killed by a stray bullet in Gallipoli, and they have thus sustained a double bereavement in a comparatively short time. The body was conveyed from Cheltenham on Monday night and was taken in to St Anne’s Church, where it remained overnight, the coffin being covered with choice wreaths. The original Guardian report continues with the military funeral stating the mourners and floral tributes
CWG additional information:- Son of John and Lucy Lawrie, of Worksop; husband of Mary Lawrie, of 3, Fairlight Place, Tivoli, Cheltenham. Buried in Worksop (Retford Road) Cemetery. Research by Colin Dannatt
