Mexborough Times Saturday, April 1, 1916

A Denaby Hero.
Tributes from the Trenches.

We regret to report the death in action of Private R. Lawrence, 7th York and Lancaster, aged 34. He leaves a widow and 4 Children at 72, Loversall Street, Denaby Main. He was formerly employed at Denaby Main, and enlisted on August 28th, 1914. He went to the front last December

Mrs Lawrence has received the following letter from second lieutenant John Clark of the seventh York and Lancaster.

“It is with sincere regret that I inform you of the death of your husband, R Lawrence. My heart goes out to you in your sad bereavement, and also to your children. They have had a pattern set them by their father, which they will do well to follow. I have had him with me constantly during the last five months through strife and otherwise, and I realise what an excellent fellow he was, always ready and willing to do anything, no matter what it was, pleasant or unpleasant. I need not impress upon you the fact that I have lost the true soldier, of whom I was proud. Perhaps it will be a consolation to you to know that his death was instantaneous; he did not suffer the slightest pain. His personal effects have been sent on to, and I hope you will receive them all right. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. I may also say that the chaplain buried him in a little country graveyard here, and a wooden cross has been erected at the head of the grave. The name of the place I am an able to divulge in a letter; perhaps I may be able to tell you sometime. If there is anything I can tell you, I will.”

Capt A.W.Turner, commander of the deceased company, writes:

“Allow me to offer you my deepest sympathy on the last of your husband, private R.Lawrence, who was killed on 11 March by the explosion of a large shell, only a few feet from him, death being instantaneous. We have lost a good soldier and a brave man. Last December, at a great personal risk, he worked for two hours with two other men, and thereby rescued a comrade who was buried under a heavy fall of masonry. We buried your husband in a little village, and a few days later put a cross at the head of his grave.”

Private J.F.Froggatt and Private G.W Immision, No. 8 platoon, writes:

“We were close companions of your husband, being in the same platoon. His loss is felt by officers and men alike, for he was a good and brave soldier. It was on the 11th when “Bob” with several others, was hit by a shell, death being instantaneous. He was always talking about you and the children. Your husband was recommended for gallantry on a previous occasion when we were being heavily shelled. He was one of the three who rescued a man under heavy fire. Accept the sincere sympathy of the platoon, and if there is anything you would wish to know we shall deem it a pleasure to tell you,”