John Lawrence was born in Lambeth, South London, in 1881 and he was employed by St Audry’s as an attendant from 15th March 1909. John enlisted into the services on 8th September 1914 but, by the November, he was back on duty at the hospital.

Booth’s Almanack of 1915 and 1916 lists John as serving in the Suffolk Regiment and there is a reference in St Audry’s employment records saying that he returned from the front as an invalid. There are no other records currently available to expand on his military career.