How tragic a death Lawrence suffered. He was serving his country as a young man of just 18 years when he fell to his death when out walking around the area of his home barracks in South Shields. He joined “D”Coy, 3rd Btn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt) in April 1916 but just one month later he was walking around the perimeter of the Harton Coal Company’s Harbour Quarry in Marsden Whitbury when he accidentally fell over the face of the quarry whilst carrying out his usual night-time patrol duties.