Lawrence Ewart Booth

Private. 2314. 1/7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment.

Born 13th May 1898 at 19 Lowergate, Longwood

Son of Charlotte Ann and Harry (foreman of the London & North Western Railway Company.)

Brother of John Arthur, Wilfred Beaumont, Kathleen, Doris and Clifford and Lewis.

Address: 6 Rufford Rd. Milnsbridge, formerly 51 Crow Lane.

Occupation: Apprentice to Messrs A. Davison & Sons, butchers, Milnsbridge.

Enlisted 7th October 1914.

Died  27th May 1915. Aged 17.

Buried at Rue-David Military Cemetery. Fleurbaix. 1. Β. 15.

Pas de Calais, France.

Lawrence embarked for France in April 1915. He was killed exactly two weeks after his 17th birthday. He was a pupil at Paddock Council School and Crow Lane School. He attended Paddock Congregational Church, and also St. Michael's Mission Church, Milnsbridge. He was tall, smart and esteemed by all who knew him.

Lawrence's parents received a letter from Sergeant A. Hadfield dated 27th May, informing them of their son's death, as he was caught in the head by a German sniper, and promising to put some flowers on his grave.

They also received a letter from Captain R. Taylor who wrote offering his sympathy and explaining that Lawrence died while engaged in a working party, making the trenches safer in case of shell fire, and was just putting a sand bag in position when he must have had his head too high. He was killed instantaneously, and would be buried that night near some more of England's brave soldiers, a few hundred yards from the rear of their trenches.

Enclosed with this letter was one written by Lawrence, but not posted. In it he acknowledged receipt of a parcel and told of how well he was getting on. He referred to the Germans as splendid shots, and concluded, "He who puts his head above the parapet in the day time is lucky who does not get hit."

His name appears on the Roll of Honour at Shared Church, Paddock, St. John's Church Golcar, Crow Lane Board School, and Huddersfield Drill Hall.