Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland”

Conrad Lawrence was born on 26th November, 1876 at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England to parents George & Emma Lawrence (nee Sparks). He was baptised on 21st January, 1877 at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England.

He joined Gordon Highlanders when he was 18 years of age &  was issued a service number of 4244.

The 1911 England Census recorded Conrad Lawrence as a 33 year old, Stoker boarding at 7A Treport Street, Wandsworth, London, England which was a 4 roomed dwelling. Head of the house was John Henry Emmerson (Stoker, aged 54, born Battersea) & his wife Catherine Ann Emmerson (aged 44, born Camberwell). Catherine & John Emmerson had been married for 29 years & had seven children (one who had since died). Only one of their children was listed in this household – James Emmerson (At School, aged 13, born Battersea). Also listed was John Welch  (At school, aged 6, born Chelsea) – grandson of John Henry Emmerson. (**From information provided by Conrad Lawrence when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1914 – Catherine Ann Emmerson was Conrad’s sister).

Conrad Lawrence stated he was aged 36 years & 11 months, single, & a Sail Maker when he enlisted in Sydney, New South Wales on 21st October, 1914 (date as per Attestation Papers) with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.). His religion was Roman Catholic & his next of kin was listed as his sister – Mrs C. A. Emerson, 7A Treport Street, Garret Lane, Wandsworth, London, England. Conrad Lawrence was 5 feet 8 inches, 10 stone 2 lb & his chest measurement was 35 – 37 ½  inches. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes & dark brown hair. His distinctive Marks were listed as: vaccinated. Tattoos – dancing girl & flags right forearm. Dancing girl on left forearm. Scar on right bicep. Conrad Lawrence stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served 12 years with Ordnance Corps in England.

Private Conrad Lawrence was posted to 8th A.A.S.C. (Australian Army Service Corps) from 24th September, 1914.

[Note: There is no further information in the Service Record file as to the outcome of this enlistment]

He re-enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 13th April, 1915 (date as per Embarkation Roll, however Attestation Papers have date as 13th August, 1915) stating he was aged 36 years & 2 months, single & a Platelayer when he enlisted at Enogerra (as per Attestation Papers), Queensland. His religion was Roman Catholic & his next of kin was listed as his sister – Mrs C. A. Emerson, 7A Treport Street, Garret Lane, Wandsworth, London, England. Conrad Lawrence was 5 feet 9 inches, 11 stone & his chest measurement was 39 inches. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes & dark brown hair.  His distinctive Marks were listed as: Shrapnel wound right upper arm. Tattoo marks right forearm. Rifle shot wound left Thigh. 7 vaccination scars left arm 3 vaccination scars right arm. Conrad Lawrence stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served 12 years with Gordon Highlanders (time expired).

Private Conrad Lawrence was posted to 8th Reinforcements of 9th Battalion (no date recorded).

M. McGrath, Hazelbrook, Clifton St, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, wrote to the “Commander of the 8th of the 9th” on 12th July, 1915 advising “I am sorry to inform you that Srgt Lawrance is unable to return to Camp, on account of illness, you will find enclosed Doctor’s certificate.”  The Certificate stated that “Sergeant C. Lawrence” was suffering from Influenza.

On 3rd August, 1915 Private Lawrence was written up for a Charge while posted at Frazer’s Hill for being Absent without Leave from 17th July, 1915 to 1st August, 1915 – 16 days. He was awarded a forfeiture of pay of 8 days.

Private Conrad Lawrence, Service number 2642, embarked from Brisbane, Queensland on HMAT Kyarra (A55) on 16th August, 1915 with the 9th Infantry Battalion, 8th Reinforcements. He was written up on 1st September, 1915 while on board HMAT Kyarra (A55) for “Conduct to the prejudice of good order and disciple in that he at about 9.30 pm was found helplessly drunk on the after deck.”  Private Lawrence was awarded 3 days Detention.

He joined 9th Battalion at Gallipoli on 18th November, 1915.

On 29th November, 1915 Private Lawrence was transferred to Hospital at Malta on Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle due to an old wound on right Arm & paralysis of right hand. He was admitted to Tigne Hospital, Malta the same day. Private Lawrence was discharged to duty from Hospital on 6th March, 1916.

Private Lawrence reported for duty in dockyard at Malta from 6th March, 1916. He was taken on strength as Hammerman in Dockyard at Malta on 28th March, 1916. He ceased to be employed in Dockyard on 16th April, 1916 & was discharged to Detention.

He was written up for a Crime on 17th April, 1916 while at Malta: “1. Insubordinate conduct towards a R.S.M. when appearing before his C.O.  2. Escaping from confinement by breaking out of Guard Detention Room at about 7.40 pm and being found in the canteen at 8.30 pm drunk.” He was awarded 28 days detention by Commanding Officer on 19th April, 1916.

On 20th May, 1916 Private Lawrence was charged while at Malta: “1. Absent from Tattoo to 6.30 am on 13th May, 1916 (8 hours 50 mins). 2. Being on licensed premises – viz the Victoria Music Hall Public House, Strada Stretta Valletta about 4.50 pm contrary to Fortress Order No 154 D/20/1/16 on 17th May, 1916.” He was awarded 14 days Field Punishment No 2 & “forfeited 1 days pay under R.W. & 4 days close arrest awaiting trial from 15/5/16 to 19/5/16”

Private Lawrence embarked from Malta on 28th May, 1916 for Egypt per Franconia. He disembarked at Alexandria from Malta on 31st May, 1916 & was posted to 13th Training Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on 3rd June, 1916 from Details Camp.

He was transferred to 3rd Training Battalion at Rollestone, Wiltshire, England on 29th June, 1916 from 13th Training Battalion.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

Private  Lawrence was written up while posted at 3rd Training Battalion for “Punishment. Disobedience of orders. 21 days Detention, Forfeits 14 days pay…” (no date recorded)

He was reported as a Deserter from 24th August, 1916.

On 3rd September, 1916 Private  Lawrence was struck off strength Malta Dockyards.

Private Lawrence was marched in to 3rd Training Battalion, Durrington Camp No. 3, Wiltshire, England on 6th December, 1916 under escort – Deserter.

A District Court Martial was held at 3rd Training Battalion, Larkhill, Wiltshire, England on 23rd December, 1916: Crime - Perham Downs on 26th July, 1916 A.W.L. (Absent without Leave) “in that he at Perham Downs on the morning of 26th July, 1916 absented himself without leave until apprehended by Civil Police at Wandsworth on 1st December, 1916.

Pleading – Guilty. Finding – Guilty. Sentence – 12 months Detention 23.12.16. Confirmation 23.12.16. I confirm the sentence & finding of the Court and remit 6 months of the sentence, Sgd Newton J. Moore, Brig. Gen. G.O.C. A.I.F. Dept in UK. 26.12.16. In Custody – Awaiting trial 21 days. Total forfeiture 332 days.”

He was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment with hard labour from 23rd December, 1916 & forfeited 152 days’ pay,

On 23rd February, 1917 Private Lawrence was reported A.W.L. (Absent without Leave) from Durrington Camp having escaped escort. “Investigations being made re AWL” from 23rd February, 1917.

Administrative Headquarters, London wrote to The Chief Paymaster regarding No. 2642 Private C. Lawrence, 9th Battalion on 27th October, 1917: “File passed to you for notation:-

(1)    That Lawrence was employed with Naval Authorities at His Majesty’s Dockyard, Malta, from 28.3.16 to 16.4.16.

(2)    That Lawrence escaped from escort, 3rd Training Battalion, on 23.2.17, and is still absent, according to Records.

Action has been taken by this Office to have this soldier declared an illegal absentee by Court of Enquiry.”

Private Conrad Lawrence was declared an illegal absentee by Court of Inquiry held at Laiden on 11th July, 1918.

“On receipt of later information recall file 5639/1/8 for action. Sworn statement made by his brother on 2/12/19 that Pte Lawrence died at the Constance Rd Workhouse Camberwell about the latter end of September 1917.”

Private Conrad Lawrence died on 22nd September, 1917 at Camberwell Workhouse, Constance Road, London, England from Heart failure due to excessive Alcoholism.

[NOTE: The Australian War Memorial & the Commonwealth War Graves Commission both have the date of death of Private Conrad Lawrence incorrectly listed as 29th September, 1917. Both AWM & CWGC were advised with proof of date of death of 22nd September, 1917 at the time of researching – September, 2023]

**[Update: The Australian War Memorial have confirmed that the correct date of death is 22 September, 1917]

Base Records wrote to The Master, Camberwell Workhouse, Constance Road, London on 15th March, 1920 regarding No. 2642 Private Conrad Lawrence, 9th Battalion, A.I.F. (deceased): “The above named soldier is reported as an illegal absentee from the A.I.F. since 23.2.17. It has recently come to notice that he died at your workhouse on 22.9.17 from heart failure due to excessive alcoholism. It would be appreciated if this Office could be advised as to the cemetery and number of grave in which this soldier is buried. Please state whether this soldier is buried in a common grave or a separate single grave.”

Mr W. A. Flint, Master, Parish of St. Giles, Camberwell, Constance Road Institution replied to Base Records on 19th March, 1920 advising “…this soldier was interred at Forest Hill Cemetery in a Common grave, No. 24666 – Sq.100.”

Private Conrad Lawrence was originally buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in a common Grave. His body was exhumed & reinterred in Camberwell Borough Cemetery.

His place of burial is now recorded by the CWGC as Camberwell Old Cemetery, London, England & he is remembered on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Screen Wall – 85. 26558 as he does not have a headstone.

**As at 10th May, 2024 no response has been received to my request with proof to CWGC. His date of death is still listed incorrectly on CWGC Screen Wall & also listed incorrectly on the CWGC website.

Private Conrad Lawrence was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)  in England on 1st April, 1920 have been illegally absent from London since 23rd February, 1917. He died whilst illegally absent on 22nd September, 1917.

Private Conrad Lawrence would normally have been entitled to 1914/15 Star, British War Medal & the Victory Medal, however due to him being declared an illegal absentee he automatically forfeited his right to receive the medals.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/camberwell-old.html