5434, Private, Lawrence George Henry GRIFFITHS
Aged 20
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Born Laurence George Henry GRIFFITHS in Newmarket in Q3-1896 [Newmarket 3b:532] eldest son of Albert and Priscilla GRIFITHS (née WADE) of 41 Lowther Street,
Newmarket.
1901 census...Lawrence [4] was at 41 Lowther Street, Newmarket with his father Albert [26], a stableman born Great Malvern, Worcs.; his mother Priscilla [25] born Ashley; brother Albert [2] and sister Violet (Violet Elizabeth Irene)[6 months ? birth registered 1897]. All the children were born in Newmarket. 1911 census...Lawrence [14] was at 9 Lisburn Road, Newmarket with his parents; sister Violet [13] and brothers Victor [12]; Leslie (Leslie Edward) [2] and Humphrey (Thomas Humphrey)[1] and sisters Mabel (Mabel Annie Wade) [7] and Mona (Mona Isle) [6]. One child had died, Ivy (Ivy Constance Priscilla) born 1901 died 1902. There is a conflict of ages since the 1901 census and it begs the question whether brother Albert [1901] and Victor [1911] are the same person. An Albert Stanley V. Griffths was born in Newmarket in 1899. The family were at Bath Terrace, Newmarket at the time of Lawrence's death. One cottage there is named Glen Cottage still (2012), presumably connected with their business, (they were the proprietors of the Glen Cafe, Rous Road, Newmarket). Nicknamed 'Pops' he is commemorated on the family monument in Newmarket Cemetery. By the time of the pension card the family had moved to Rous Road, Newmarket |
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Given that he is 'Henry' in his medal card and 'Lawrence' on his death record, it may prove difficult to find his actual Army records, even if they exist. Only 4 men of the 4th Suffolks were killed that day and Lawrence is the only one with a known grave. It was a period which could have been called "All Quiet on the Western Front" since "only" 240 are given as killed in action that day anywhere in the war. |
photo: Michael J. Pettitt Family stone in Newmarket Cemetery New Ground E:908A Lawrence originally buried here, with several others, and re-interred in Peronne in 1919 photo: Rodney Gibson 
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details