A good Boer War to Korean War father and son medal group, with extensive supporting documentation, photographs, and related items.

Father: Pte. Henry John Lawrence, Sussex Regiment
A group of five medals: Queen’s South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal clasps [5986 PTE. H. LAURENCE I.R. SUSSEX REGT], King’s South Africa, South Africa 1900 and 1901 clasps [PTE. H. LAWRENCE RL. SUSSEX REGT], 1914 Mons Star with clasp, 1914-18 War Medal and Victory Medal [PTE. H Lawrence R. SUSS R]

Accompanied by a framed photograph of Private Henry Lawrence in Boer War uniform (56 x 66.5cm), a smaller cabinet card photograph, a silver War Badge (No. 276045), and an enamel and gilt South Africa Veterans’ Association badge (1889–1902).

Born in Oakwood Hill, Surrey, in 1870, Henry John Lawrence enlisted in the Sussex Regiment in October 1899 and served in South Africa during the Boer War (1900–1902). He later served in France with the British Expeditionary Force from August 1914 and in India in 1917. Discharged in November 1917, his total service amounted to 18 years and 40 days.

Son: CSM Francis John De Moulan Lawrence, Sussex Regiment, Sherwood Foresters and Royal Leicestershire Regiment
A group of eight medals: M.B.E, George VI General Service Medal with Palestine and Palestine 1945-48 clasps [823559 PTE. F.J. DE M. LAWRENCE R. SUSS R.], 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal, Korea Medal with MID oak leaf [W.O. C.L.2 F. LAWRENCE R. LEICESTERS] and UN Korea Medal.

Accompanied by corresponding dress miniatures, medal ribbons, extensive documentation and related items, including:

• Regular Army Certificate of Service (1934–1958) outlining overseas postings to Palestine, Egypt, the Middle East, Iraq, Korea, West Germany, and West Africa.
• Soldier’s Release Book (1945).
• Army Certificate of Education (1935).
• Framed M.I.D. certificate and Military CBE certificate.
• Aynsley MBE commemorative plate (26.5cm diameter) with original certificate.
• Letters of commendation, an emergency warrant for Warrant Officer appointment (1952), pension documents, and three RAOC proficiency certificates (1965–1970).
• Membership card for the Royal Sussex Regimental Association with enamel and gilt badge.
• Three pewter and one Sheffield plate tankards with presentation inscriptions, 1947-1970.

Photographs include portraits of Lawrence throughout his military career, scenes in Palestine, Iraq, Hong Kong, and Korea, and group images, including with the Ghana Police Force whilst on secondment. Notable photos include the Trooping of the Colour in Jerusalem (1937) and a large number relating to the Palestine Riots in 1936. Elsewhere, there are various military encampments and troopships, as well as a good photograph of Lawrence being awarded the Oak Leaf for the Korean War Medal in the field by an American military general.

Additional items include three Korean War propaganda leaflets (e.g., “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the People’s Chinese Volunteers”) and a UN Soldiers’ safe conduct pass.

Francis John De Moulan Lawrence was born on 29 March 1913 and died in December 1999. His extensive service included Dunkirk, El Alamein and Korea, where he was Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished services (London Gazette, 2 May 1952). He was seconded to the Ghana Army in the late 1950s and was awarded the MBE in the 1959 New Year Honours.

Family tradition states that Francis was given the name “De Moulan” in honour of Lieutenant Colonel Louis Eugene De Moulin of the Sussex Regiment, who served alongside Henry John Lawrence during the Boer War and was killed in action in 1902.

Provenance: Direct family descent.