Christ College Remembers – Captain Edward William Lawrence

Edward William Lawrence was born in the mining village of Pontycymmer, Mid Glamorgan, and was the son of a colliery clerk who became company secretary. The family lived in Llangeinor, a few miles north of Bridgend. The oldest of six children, he joined the Hostel in September 1900 and left at Easter 1903.

After leaving school he studied Medicine at Edinburgh University from 1905 to 1910, returning to Bridgend to begin medical practice. After the outbreak of war Dr Edward William Lawrence MB, ChB volunteered for a commission and applied to the Royal Army Medical Corps. In October 1914 he joined the 10th Service Battalion, The Welsh Regiment (1st Rhondda).

He transferred to the 13th Battalion and, after training at Winchester, he was sent to France and landed in Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 the Battalion was in action at Mametz Wood on the Somme, where they suffered severe casualties. Captain Lawrence was seen last on 10th July while tending five wounded men. They later reported that he was there one minute but they then lost sight of him. His body was never found.

Captain Edward William Lawrence is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and on the Christ College War Memorial.