WW1 British War & Victory Medal pair, 10190 W.G. Lawrence, Army Cyclist Corps, Salonika

WW1 British War Medal and Victory Medal pair named to 10190 William George Lawrence, Army Cyclist Corps, of Kennington, London. He served in Salonika and Egypt and rose from Private to Acting Sergeant. His service record survives and has been researched.

Both medals are in good condition, with the naming and numbers correct on the rims. They come on their original ribbons. Sold as the two medals only.

His story

William George Lawrence was born about 1888 and lived at 122 Royal Road, Kennington, London. He enlisted at Whitehall on 25 October 1915, aged 27, for the duration of the war. He joined the Army Cyclist Corps at Hounslow the next day.

He was made Lance Corporal in January 1916 and qualified as a Bomber.

Christmas Day 1916: off to war

He sailed from Marseilles on Christmas Day 1916 and landed at Salonika on New Year's Day 1917. There he was attached to the 42nd Remount Squadron.

In October 1917 he sailed on to Egypt and joined the 53rd Divisional Cyclist Company, the cyclists of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. He stayed with them until the summer of 1919.

Trusted by his officers

When he left for home, his commanding officer wrote a report on him. It rated his sobriety as very good, and called him reliable and intelligent, with a good power of command.

The officer added that Lawrence was acting Quartermaster Sergeant for the company.

Service record

• 25 October 1915: enlisted at Whitehall, London
• 26 October 1915: joined the Army Cyclist Corps at Hounslow
• 8 January 1916: Lance Corporal
• 25 December 1916: sailed from Marseilles
• 1 January 1917: landed at Salonika
• 16 January 1917: attached to 42nd Remount Squadron
• 21 October 1917: sailed from Salonika for Egypt
• November 1917: joined 53rd Divisional Cyclist Company
• 27 December 1918: Acting Corporal
• 20 May 1919: Acting Sergeant
• 24 June 1919: sailed for home from Alexandria on SS Caledonia
• 7 July 1919: dispersed at Crystal Palace