Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Lucy Baxter, a glove trade stitcher, born in the 1st quarter of 1873 in Leicester. Lawrence was born in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in All Saint’s, Leicester, his siblings were, Fred, born in the 2nd quarter of 1892, Margaret, born on the 23rd December 1894, Winifred, born on the 27th October 1896 and William, born on the 25th May 1898, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family were all living at 10 Burleys Lane, Leicester, this being the home of Domenico Bozzie, an ice cream vendor, born 1867 in Italy. In April 1911 Lawrence was employed as a shoe trade stamper and was residing in the family home at 22, Garden Street, Leicester, together with Thomas Baxter, a general farm labourer, born 1868 in Leicester his mother and siblings, Frederick, a wool trade sorter, Margaret, a wool trade worker, Winifred a hosiery trade worker and William.
NOTE: It is unclear whether Thomas Baxter who appears in the April 1911 census return, and is described as married, is the father of Lawrence, and indeed the other Baxter siblings. It records that the marriage had been to date, of nineteen years duration, but no marriage can be found between a Thomas Baxter and a Lucy Baxter circa 1892. Additionally given that the birth records show that the mother’s maiden name for the children as Baxter, raises serious doubts as to the authenticity of Thomas Baxter’s paternal claim. Given that Lawrence’s mother Lucy Baxter was indeed born in Leicester, and whose parents were, William Baxter (1823-1876) and Esther Wormell (1836-1897) adds to the confusion of Lawrence and his sibling’s true father. The claimant details for the Army Pension were in the name of Lawrence’s mother Lucy, with no mention of a father, Lawrence also nominated his mother as his sole legatee in the Soldiers Effects ledger, and the only instance that I have discovered relating to Thomas Baxter as his father was that on the 29th October 1912 when Lawrence enlisted into the Special Reserve, he gave his next of kin as his father Thomas Baxter, mother Lucy Baxter, and his two brothers and two sisters. In conclusion, on the 29th May 1919 when the Army Form W.5080 was completed by Lawrence’s mother Lucy, where she was required to provide the names of all the Relatives of the deceased soldier that are now living, all four siblings are recorded together with his mother, but no mention is made of a father, in fact the space for the father’s name was left blank. I am therefore drawn to conclude that the father of Lawrence and his siblings will remain a mystery, unless anyone in the future can produce definite evidence of paternity, it will remain an open case. (2021-05-07).
Lawrence enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 29th October 1912 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 11060. He gave his place of birth as All Saint’s, Leicester and age as 19 years 5 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand, heel builder.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 29th October 1912 and recorded his apparent age as 19 years 5 months, that he was 5 feet 1½ inches in height, weighed 119 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was black, his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, birth mark, right loin. He gave his religion as Roman Catholic.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas Baxter, mother, Lucy Baxter, older brother Frederick, younger brother William, sisters, Margaret, Winifred, 22, Garden Street, Leicester.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Posted. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire regt. Pte. 29/10/12.
Commenced. Recruits Training. Pte. 29/10/12 – 28/2/13.
Temporarily unfit. Pte. 4/7/13.
Mobilized. Leicester. 5/8/14.
Offence. Misconduct. Awarded. Deprived of 10 days pay. Pte. 4/12/14.
Posted. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire regt. Pte. 12/12/14.
Killed in action. Persian Gulf. Pte. 6-7/1/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 29/10/12 – 11/12/14. 2 year 44 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 12/12/14 – 13/11/15. 337 days.
Expeditionary Force, Persian Gulf. 14/11/15 – 7/1/16. 55 days
Total Service. 3 years 71 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Lawrence’s surviving service record amounts to a total of fourteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in extremely poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 6 Jan-16 – Right Bank Column Operation Orders for 6th issued. Extracts from Right Bank Column Operation Orders and Battalion Orders. First day of battle of SHAIKH SA’AD. March was to have been resumed at 8.00am with intention of bivouacking that night at bend of river immediately up-stream from SHAIKH SA’AD but was much delayed by heavy mist. At about 10.00am march was resumed, the Battalion forming part of the Main Body, 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) leading. On nearing HIBSH, at about 12.00 noon, the enemy were reported in an entrenched position, about 2 miles South East of SHAIKH SA’AD, extending from river bank for some 1500 yards. The Battalion now deployed into line of Companies in fours, at 50 paces interval, and 200 yards in rear of 56th (F.F.) RIFLES. Battalion continued advance in this formation, and was eventually ordered to prolong this line to the left of 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) in echelon at 200 yards distance. At about 2.00pm orders were issued to attack this position and advance to the bend in the river at SHAIKH SA’AD. The attack commenced with units of the Brigade in following formation:- 56th RIFLES (F.F.) on the right, 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) in echelon 200 yards distance to the left, 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in echelon 200 yards distance to left of 53rd SIKHS (F.F.), the 51st SIKHS (F.F.) being in reserve. The Battalion advanced in the following formation (distance from the enemy’s position now about 1500x)
Firing line: “B” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width – “A” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width
200 yards gap
Support line “B” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width – “A” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width
400 yards gap
Battalion Reserve line “D” Company 200 yards width – “C” Company 200 yards width
200 yards gap
Battalion Reserve (Major Henderson) “D” Company 200 yards width – “C” Company 200 yards width
The attack progressed and was met by very heavy rifle and machine gun fire. At 3.06pm message was forwarded to Brigade stating enemy’s cavalry working round left flank of the Battalion. At 3.18pm report forwarded to Brigade stating enemy’s firing line extended a long way to left of Battalion, that enemy had reinforced their firing line and that the Battalion had only one double Company (“D” Company) in reserve (“C” Company having reinforced the firing line). At 4.00pm message received from Brigade in reply to our L I 9 (Appendix XIII) stating cavalry and Brigade Machine Gun Company assisting on left flank. The advance continued and at 4.30pm Officer Commanding “B” Company was ordered to advance in echelon to the rest of the line, keeping his left slightly thrown back. At 4.35pm Major HENDERSON, Commanding Battalion Reserve, was instructed to bring the rest of the reserve (“D” Company) gradually closer. After suffering considerable losses the firing line reached a line about 500 yards from enemy’s trenches. Here it became evident that the enemy’s line was thrown forward and that the left of the Battalion was becoming enveloped. There was considerable movement of the enemy round the left flank of the Battalion, and it was from there subjected to enfilade fire. It was now obvious that any further advance would, without reinforcements being sent up to take on the enemy’s right, be extremely inadvisable. At 5.00pm a message explaining the situation was despatched to 28th Brigade. The whole line of the Brigade was therefore ordered to entrench itself and establish a strong position during the night, from which the attack could resume the next day. A message was accordingly sent out to Officers Commanding Companies, the left flank of the Battalion (“D” Company with 2 Machine Guns) being to some considerable extent thrown back. During the days operations the following casualties occurred:- Wounded – Captain McINTYRE, 2nd Lieutenant’s SWINDELLS, REDWOOD, GWYTHER (died of wounds 8/1/16), GODFREY, FRASER, PRIVETT (died of wounds 10/1/16). During the night ammunition supplies and rations were brought up, and Companies were reorganised. For dispositions of Companies during night see rough sketch. The Regimental Stretcher bearers, who did excellent work under Lance Corporal QUEENAN throughout operations, brought in the killed and wounded of the Battalion and other regiments. The ammunition supply worked extremely well. Enemy kept up a continuous rifle and machine gun fire during the night.
The War Diary records: 7 Jan-16 - At 11.12am orders were received that the attack would shortly be renewed on both banks. In the meantime enemy’s line was subjected to bombardment from 28th Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. Orders were received to renew the attack at 2.00pm, the Battalion moving forward as soon as 53rd SIKHS were seen to leave their trenches. The 92nd PUNJABIS had now been attached to the Brigade to support the attack on the left of the Battalion. “A” and “B” Companies advanced in short sharp rushes, supported by “C” Company, “D” Company being kept close up in reserve under cover. The advance progressed in spite of very strong opposition and “D” Company was thrown in, the whole Battalion finally carrying out the assault successfully over about 300 yards. Two of the Battalion machine guns pushed along the nullah X Y towards X, greatly assisted the advance in first enfilading Turkish trench P and later distributing their fire along trench Q. The Battalion was splendidly supported throughout by one section of the 28th Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY, the Forward Observation Officer advancing with his telephone immediately in rear of the Battalion. The enemy’s trenches were occupied and quickly put in a state of defence, while, from both ends of these trenches a line of entrenchments was extended for some considerable distance, the left flank being well turned back. About 80 prisoners were taken by the Battalion, and a large quantity of rifles, ammunition, equipment etc. Many dead and wounded Turks were found in the trenches. The Battalion buried 62 enemy dead on its section of trenches. Enemy sniped to some extent during the night from our left flank. The following casualties among officers occurred during this days operations. Officers killed Lieutenant DOWDING and Lieutenant ROYCE. Wounded Captain SUTHERLAND, 2nd Lieutenant BILLINGS, 2nd Lieutenant BELLE and 2nd Lieutenant BUCKINGHAM. Other ranks killed and wounded on operations of the 6th and 7th January totalled 303.