poppy_01a.png

Sub-Lieutenant, RNVR
Born: Unknown Died: September 1st 1940

Age at Death: 28

Educated at Nottingham High School, where he was Head of School, and then at Christ Church, Oxford, where he won a scholarship in Natural Sciences, Robert joined the staff of Brighton College in 1937, but was called up in 1940. With the typically British humour of the time, which made light of grave matters, a note in the school magazine said goodbye to Lawrence and another called-up master:

“We send them both our best wishes, and we are glad to know that they will both re-join the Staff as soon as Hitler permits.”

Lawrence was assigned to HMS Express, a Royal Navy destroyer. In the summer of 1940 Britain lived in fear of German invasion, and on 31 August air reconnaissance detected a German naval force sailing towards Britain. Royal Naval ships, including HMS Express, were ordered to intercept, but entered an unmarked minefield, where the Express struck a mine. Lawrence was killed in the detonation, though the ship survived.

He is buried at the Hull Northern Cemetery.

Comment