Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Vera Jane BLACK, 3 Pomeroy Street, Homebush, New South Wales.

Lawrence Sydney Black Z Special Unit of the Services Reconnaissance Department, was the forerunner of today’s Australian special forces or SAS. Black was a volunteer and enlisted in the Australian  army in 1942 at the age of 21 but later on he was asked by an officer, as he was selected to join a group of soldiers. Black did not know he was volunteering to join the SAS, none of the new they were  going to be special forces and work behind enemy lines.

Lawrence narrowly escaped beheading by the Japanese enemy in World War II, as the Lieutenant lead operation Starfish behind enemy lines to Indonesia, the island opposite Bali now a very famous  tourist location. Lombok island was where Black and the commander landed, two of the commandos were caught because they were wounded and could not escape. Black and another soldier were  chased for days by hundreds of Japanese soldiers, before they escaped as they were able to contact by radio the crew of a Catalina flying boat. At the end of the war some Australians went back to Indonesia Lombok to bring back the remains of the two soldiers, unfortunately found remains they had been beheaded. Ironic today’s Bali is maybe still the most popular overseas tourist resort for Australians, and Lombok Straits has possibly one of the longest surf breaks in the world that many Australians today visit and love to surf. At the end of the war Black conducted the last operation for  Australian special forces destroying supply at very secret locations in the Indian Ocean. He was discharged in December 1945, still served to October 1946 as a troop instructor for Australian troops to Japanese Occupation Force.

Australian special forces Black Australian hero special forces Lieutenant Z Special unit NX105873 Intelligence field operatives. Australian Icon Black lead the very dangerous commando operation, code  name Starfish to Indonesia. Many years after World War II Lawrence Black receive the honour OAM Order of Australia , for his never ending volunteer work with Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the  State RSL and Army. Lawrence helped the charity legacy which financially helped widows and children of Australian soldiers who were killed in action. Black was just an all-round great guy help his family members, like Von Black his brother Harold wife establish her first business. Lawrence also played a big role on a repatriation board in Melbourne. Recommended by the governor general on the 24-6-1946 distinguished service in south west Pacific Asia. Other awards Australian War Memorial RCDIG1068963 Promulgated in London Gazette on 6-3-1947. Promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia  cassette on 6-3-1947. L. S. Black Served with 3rd HQ Signals Armoured Division Defence Special Unit.  Black retired from Veterans Review Board on his 65th birthday and continued to work for the RSL with the State Victorian president Bruce Ruxton & Blacks good friend Dr Gardner who was a pilot in the battle of Britain. Lawrence received the US submarine combat pin, because he had been inserted by American submarine named the rock behind Japanese lines. Gentleman and officer who was one of the last soldiers to received his rank during combat duty, hands-on  officer he had plenty of practical experience. Today Australian offices are trained at military college and have no war experience or practical experience all theory.

June 1946 he married Joyce Clayton and after the war joined Coles in Sydney and was quickly promoted to executive at company’s head office in Melbourne as he moved from Sydney to Victoria. Ironic he was sent to Japan a few times after the war to purchase toys for Coles, and met and talked to men that were the old enemy. Lawrence Black said they all got along very well no problems.

Lawrence passed away at the age of 86  of a heart attack at Sandringham Hospital in the city of Melbourne Australia.