A First World War killed in action trio of medals awarded to “16534 Pte. W. A. L. Lawrence, R. Berks. R.” comprising 1914-15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal (3)

Notes: William Albert Lawrence (b.1892 in Berkshire) served with the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916 and commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial to the missing in France.

1st Jul 1916 In Action 6th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment's War Diary records:

12 Midnight - Battalion in forming up trenches in A2 subsector Carnoy
7am - Coys report all ready and everything in order.
7.28 am - Casino Point mine exploded - some casualties caused by debris thrown back into our first two assembly trenches. First wave advanced into No Mans's Land.
7.30 - Attack launched - First wave takes Mine Trench and Casino Point.
7.32 - Second wave advanced from forming up point in No Man's land.
7.35 - First batch of 6 prisoners brought in, shoulder straps, button and all papers sent by special runner to Brigade Advanced Report centre. 3rd wave moved forward from our line.

7.50 - First wave reached Pommier Trench having suffered heavy casualties. Lt Hollis went forward to Bund Support and reported Capt Litten killed and no officers remaining with left leading Coy (B Coy). Capt McArthur wounded. Capt Longhurst wounded has ordered 2/Lt Courage to move up and take command of B Coy. As far as known Capt Fenner still with A Coy but 2/Lt Collot and Lt Traill killed. Bombardment of Pommier Redoubt continued. Bombers of B Coy and Btn Bombers start bombing up Popoff Lane. Vickers Guns sent up to get in position near junction of Popoff Lane and Pommiers Trench. Norfolks held up round the Loop, right flank exposed. Work of consolidation started. Suffering severe casualties from MG in the Loop.

9.30 - Pommier Redoubt assaulted and taken, line starts to advance towards Montauban Alley.
9.35 - Bn HQ moved to Pommiers Trench. 2Lt Hollis remained in old Report Centre. No communication except by visual, all wires broken in many places.
9.40 - Adjt sent to reconnoitre and report on 1 situation as Brigade calling for information.

10.0 - Adjt reports:“Norfolks on our tight: not advancing, A Coy have made a succession of bombing posts with LGs to protect their flank and are working up Loop Trench, strong opposition against them here. our right is very exposed. On left we are in touch with Bedfords and are advancing up Montauban Alley by bombing. Have suffered heavy casualties especially among Officers" Reported verbally to Brigade.

10.40 Reported that Norfolks have taken Loop. Pi/3 sent to Brigade.
10.50 - Norfolks still held up at Back Trench and Boche Trench. Bombing attacks at Montauban Alley and Loop Trench progressing slowly.
10.55 - Collected about 30 scattered men and pushed these into attack at Montayban Alley, two Stokes guns.

11.10 - Situation reported to Brigade in Pi/5.
12.15 - Situation reported to Brigade in Pi/74. Small reserve of about 30 men collected Pi/73 sent to OC A Coy.
12.50 - Bombing attack on Montauban Alley progressed well and half the line taken. Attack up Loop Trench has cleared up to the Montauban - Mamaetz road. Slow progress continuing at both points. Essex have arranged to support us with 30 bombers for Loop Trench. Pi/75 to Brigade by Pigeon.
1.30 - CO and Adjt visited whole line. Position: The Norfolks still not up on our right. Capt Fenner with about 50 men hold Loop Trench to the point where it crosses the Montauban - Mametz road and are bombing on but are meeting with desperate resistance. line from these runs across open to Montauban Alley about 100yds from its junction west of Loop Trench. Essex bombers not yet arrived and urgently called for again. Advance held up by several MGs and snipers and bombers.

3.15 - Right report repeated attacks fail to effect advance, can reinforcements be sent up? Norfolks in touch on . ourright but not assisting by advancing. Pi/78 sent to Norfolks. Reinforcements, 1 Capt 2 subalterns and 2 OR arrived.
3.20 - Essex bombers arrive and sent up to Montauban Alley.
4.00 - Advance appreciably increased at Montauban Alley. Two unemployed Stokes Guns found and sent to support attack in Loop Trench.
4.45 - Situation reported to Brigade in Pi/80.
4.50 - Brigade report verbally a rebombardment of Caterpillar Trench and Montauban Alley. We urgently request them to cancel this as our two bombing attacks are advancing successfully.
5.20 - Brigade report verbally rebombardment put off 30 mins. Our advance has progressed considerably and the two parties only separated by 50 yds.
5.40 - Rebombardment cancelled. Montauban Alley and Loop Trench taken, line pushing on to final position & objective.

5.45 - Loop Trench handed over to Norfolks who we advised to bomb up Caterpillar Trench.
6.10 - Situation reported to Norfolk HQ see Pi/85.
6.15 - Bn HQ moved up into Montauban Alley, communication by wire with Brigade HQ established.
6.30 - Final objective reached. Work of consolidation progressing satisfactorily. Supplies of ammunition, food, water, bombs, grenades and a flame projector brought up.