Brian Turner Tom Lawrence

He gave up his horse and fought on foot to save his comrade.

Brian Turner Tom Lawrence was born at Bewdley, Worcestershire, in 1873. He enlisted in the 17th Lancers in February 1894 and served in the South African War, including the advances through the Orange Free State and Transvaal.

On 7 August 1900, while patrolling near Essenbosch Farm, Sergeant Lawrence and Private Hayman were attacked by Boer horsemen. Hayman's horse was shot and fell on him, dislocating his shoulder. Lawrence freed him, put him on his own horse and sent him back towards safety. Taking both men's weapons, he held off their pursuers and withdrew roughly two miles on foot until help arrived.

His Victoria Cross was gazetted in January 1901 and presented by Edward VII in August 1902. An accomplished horseman, he became riding master of the 18th Hussars and represented Britain at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Seriously wounded early in the First World War, he recovered for staff service and was Mentioned in Despatches with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He later became lieutenant colonel in the Iraq Levies and raised Kurdish cavalry. Following employment during the early years of the Second World War he was appointed a Military Knight of Windsor. Widowed in 1944, he retired to Kenya and died at Nakuru on 7 June 1949.

Victoria Cross citation

He was attacked by about 12 or 14 Boers when on patrol duty with Private Hayman. Hayman’s horse was shot and he was thrown, dislocating his shoulder. Sergeant Lawrence at once came back to help him, extricated him from under the horse, put him on his own and sent him back to the picket. Sergeant Lawrence then took both carbines and kept the Boers off until Hayman was safely out of range. He then retired for some two miles on foot, followed by the enemy, who he held off until assistance arrived.