Lawrence, Walter Joseph

Walter was baptised at St Mary’s Church on May 21st 1893. At the time, his parents, William and Annie were living at 12 Commercial Buildings, Saltisford and his father was a gardener.

By the 1901 census, William and Annie had 5 children and the growing family had moved to 19 North Rock, Saltisford.

The 1911 census shows Walter, aged 18, as the third of eight sons, William Thomas, Ernest Charles, Arthur, Percy, Alfred, Albert and Frederick James and he also had two sisters Annie and May. The family of 12 was still living at 19 North Rock, Saltisford and William Snr was still working as a gardener. Walter’s eldest brother, William was working as a Jobbing Gardener and one of his younger brothers, Arthur, was a Gardener’s Apprentice. Earnest and Annie were both employed at the Gelatine Works. Walter was a baker’s apprentice. The 1914 Spennell’s Trade Directory lists four bakers on Saltisford.

Warwick Advertiser 25th December 25th 1915 – In Memoriam:

Private W.J. Lawrence 17th Royal Warwickshire Regiment died somewhere in France December 5th 1915 aged 22.
The blow was bitter, the sting severe
To part with one we loved so dear
Although he’s gone, we’ll not complain
But trust in God to meet again.

Warwick Advertiser 9th December 1916 – In Memoriam