2nd Lieut Lawrence Band

Lawrence was born in Liverpool in the 3rd quarter of 1885 the son of John Charles Band and his wife Mary (nee Longbottom) of Liverpool.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Brightholme, Egerton Park, Birkenhead. The family comprising Father and Mother both born in Liverpool alongside Elizabeth, William D, John E, Ada M, Harold Rigby, George B, Reginald, Lawrence Aged 5, Frederick and Marjorie. There is one servant listed; Sarah Kirkham. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are still living at Brightholme, Egerton Park, Birkenhead. His father, John is shown as a Tailor, Shopkeeper and his  mother. Also present are his siblings; Elizabeth, John Charles, Harold Rigby, George B, Reginald, Frederic, Marjorie and Hilda, together with two servants Maria E and Mary A Hughes.

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at Brightholme with both parents still present alongside 25 year old Lawrence, an Estate Agent and Surveyor and his siblings; John Charles, Harold Rigby, Marjorie and Hilda. There is a visitor present at the property; Gladys Mary Herbert and two servants; Bertha Matthews and Margaret Ann Johnson.    

Lawrence enlisted in Liverpool on 02/09/1914 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15648. He gave his age as 29 years and 82 days and his occupation is shown as a Surveyor. He is described as being 5'8 and a half inches, weighing 146lbs, being of fair complexion with blue eyes and brown hair with a 36 inch chest. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 23/02/1915. His next of kin is shown as his mother Mary Band of Brightholme, Egerton Park, Rock Ferry, Cheshire.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham.

He was discharged on 30th July 1915 "for the purpose of re-enlisting in Inns of Court OTC at Berkhampsted. His papers were signed by Lt Col Fairfax at Grantham.

He was subsequently appointed as 2nd Lieutenant in the 17th Battalion. After he had received his commission, he rejoined his Battalion still under training at Prescot and later used his practical experience in helping to instruct a new camp at Formby, Lancashire. These duties must have kept him in England until 1917 becausehe did not rejoin the Battalion in France until 23rd March 1917,at Bretencourt, in the Arras area.

Lawrence married Dora Mandelstam on 19th December 1915, as reported in the Liverpool Echo on 21^st December 1915:  

"December 19, at the City Temple, London, by the Rev. Professor Andrews, D.D., Second Lieutenant Lawrence Band, 22^nd King’s (Liverpool Regiment), sixth son of the late J. C. Band, of Rock Ferry, to Dora, only child of Max Mandelstam, of Perth, Western Australia".

Lawrence and Dora made their home at Avon Cottage, Gores Lane, Freshfield, Lancashire.

On the 28thApril 1917, the Battalion was in the trenches East of Henniel, and whilst waiting relief by the 7th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment, its flanks were attacked by the Germans and its lines were shelled. This attack commenced at 03.00am. During the course of the relief, whilst the Battalion was moving to new positions west of Wancourt, Second-Lieutenant Band and 11 other ranks were killed, and a further 11 other ranks were wounded. Lawrence Band was aged 31.

Lawrence was aged 31 and he now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel, France at Grave 28. His headstone is shared with Private 16853 George Norman Young of the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment who was killed in action on 25th April 1917 ,aged 32 at Grave 27. Both men’s details appear on the headstone, below the Eagle and Child of the Liverpool Pals, and the personal inscription for George Norman Young states: "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS",

Lawrence's headstone bears the epitaph:

“OF EGERTON PARK, ROCK FERRY”  

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

The Presbyterian Chaplain wrote to Lawrence's mother on 30th April, the letter was received on 04th May 1917:

Dear Mrs Band,

It is with deepest regret and very great sorrow that I have to write the sad news of the passing of your son into the higher life on April 28th.Words fail me to express the deep sorrow I feel, a sorrow that is shared by every officer in the Battalion. He was my friend, we had slept in the same dugout, shared the same dangers, messed together and had many talks and you will know how I had grown to appreciate his fine, manly, sterling character, his straight true Christian life. He was at my service the last Sunday before his passing and expressed his appreciation of the helpful service we had had together and now like many another fine true gentleman he has risen to hugher service in light and peace and calm in God's own presence. I am writing to you first for this reason, we were speaking together one evening and I was saying that a little son had come as a lovegift to my home and he told me that there was a little treasure coming "to his" home and I know up to the time of his going into action he had not received news. I hope this letter will be the first intimation that you get as I fear the shock to his wife but you will know what to do, perhaps you would like to know his passing was instanteneous, no suffering. I personally, for the love and admiration i bore him, dug his grave and with tender hands and tears, not for him, but for his dear wife and you all, laid his body to rest in the little Cemetery with others who fell with him in the sure and certain hope of Ressurection to Eternal Life.I pray for you all that the God of all comfort may comfort your hearts in the hour of deepest need.

Later, if you think it safe I shall be glad to write his wife. You will excuse all the writing but last night was the first night of sleep I have had for a week and feel rather tired but praying for you all.

With deepest sympathy
yours very sincerley
G J Welsher
Presbyterian Chaplain
17th KLR            

His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post, 10^th May 1917:   

April 28, killed in action, in his 32^nd year, Second Lieutenant Lawrence Band, loved husband of Dora Band, and son of Mrs. and the late John C. Band, of Egerton Pak, Rock Ferry.

and also in the Liverpool Echo, 10^th May 1917:  

Second Lieutenant Lawrence Band, who was killed in action in France on April 28, was the son of Mrs. Band and the late Mr. John C. Band, of Egerton Park, Rock Ferry. Joining up as a private, he was selected by the colonel, with others, to proceed to the Inns of Court Corps at Berkhamstead where he underwent a course of training with marked efficiency. Later he obtained his commission. While at Formby camp he instituted a bombing competition, which became very popular and fruitful in results. He was appointed bombing instructing officer at Ripon, where he acted as temporary captain.  About four months ago he was sent to the front, and was attached to one of the K.L.R. battalions. He was well-known in Liverpool, especially in athletic circles. Educated at Wirral College, he proceeded later to Canada, where he received an appointment as assistant city engineer at West Mount, Montreal, holding the position for about two years. Retuning to Liverpool he, with Mr. John D. Smith, started the business of Messrs. Band and Smith, estate agents and surveyors, Lord Street. He leaves a widow and daughter who was born six days after his death.

His daughter Lawrie Margaret (named after her father and maternal grandmother) was born, just days after Lawrence's death, on 04th May 1917 in Birkenhead.

Notice of his death appeared in the Western Mail (Perth) on 29th June 1917:

Killed in action somewhere in France, April 28 1917, Captain Lawrence Band, dearly loved husband of Dora Band (nee Dora Mandelstam), of Formby, near Liverpool, England, and father of Baby Margaret, and beloved son-in-law of Max and Margaret Mandelstam, Perth. Deeply mourned.

Probate was issued to Stephen Roxby Dodds solicitor and John David Smith estate agent. £8,337 19s 4.

This article, from The Sun, Kalgoorlie, W.A., on 8^th July 1917, gives some background about his wife, Dora:

Last week word was received of the death of Capt. Lawrence Band, who fell while leading his men on April 28 in France. Capt. Band was linked to W.A. inasmuch as his wife was Dora Mandelstam, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Max Mandelstam, of this State. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Band, who is a very accomplished pianist, was finishing her musical education at Munich, but just before war was declared had gone to spend a holiday with her uncle, Mr. Herman Mandelstam, in London, and so luckily escaped internment in Germany. Subsequently she met Capt. Band, and they were married. Mrs. Band has a little daughter to console her for her great loss.

Second Lieutenant Band is commemorated on the family gravestone in Bebington Cemetery Birkenhead.

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 15 Left

Southport War Memorial.

His widow Dora and daughter Laurie returned to England (as did Dora’s mother). In 1939 they were living in Hertfordshire. Laurie, 22, is a studio photographer.

Dora never remarried, and died in 1975 in London.

His daughter Laurie married in Oxford in 1943 and died in 1998.

 

We currently have no further information on Lawrence Band, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

 

Grateful thanks are extended to Gordon Waite, the great nephew of Lawrence Band who kindly provided photographs, and the letter from the Chaplain which really help to broaden the biography of Lawrence.