Brian Turner Tom Lawrence VC

Name: Brian Turner Tom Lawrence

Conflict: Second Boer War

Gazetted: January 15, 1901

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Bewdley, Worcestershire/November 9, 1873

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Sergeant (later Lieutenant Colonel)

Date of bravery: August 7, 1900

London Gazette citation:

17th Lancers. Sergeant T. Lawrence.

On the 7th August, 1900, when on patrol duty near Essenbosch Farm, Sergeant Lawrence and a Private Hayman were attacked by 12 or 14 Boers. Private Hayman’s horse was shot, and the man was thrown, dislocating his shoulder. Sergeant Lawrence at once came to his assistance, extricated him from under the horse, put him on his own horse, and sent him on to the picket. Sergeant Lawrence took the soldier’s carbine, and with his own carbine as well, kept the Boers off until Private Hayman was safely out of range. He then retired for some two miles on foot, followed by the Boers, and keeping them off till assistance arrived

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Nakuru, Kenya/June 7, 1949

Grave/memorials:  Nakuru Cematorium, Kenya

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Buckland, Dix & Wood, London, 1991

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum