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Royal Marines
Killed in Action,
24th October 1917,
Age 30
Buried at Dochy Farm new British Cemetery.
SYKE MILL ROLL OF HONOUR - WINDING MASTER KILLED IN ACTION
Official news has been received that Private Lawrence Mawdsley, Royal Naval Division, younger son of the late Mr. Lawrence Mawdsley, farmer, was killed in action on October 24th 1917, while serving with the Ambulance Corps.
Thirty years of age, he went out in July 1915, and had served on different fronts.
Before enlisting he was employed at Syke Mill as a winding master, and was greatly respected. He lived with his mother and sister at 36, Townsend Street, and his name is on Laneside Church roll of honour.
LATE PTE. L. MAWDSLEY
WREATHS PLACED ON ALTER AT LANESIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE
A memorial service for Private Lawrence Mawdsley, R.N.D., whose widowed mother and sister live at 36 Townsend Street, Haslingden and who was killed while serving with the Ambulance Corps on October 24th, 1917, was held at Laneside Church, Haslingden, on Sunday night, when the following emblems were placed on the alter and the communion table:-
Cross, "To Lawrence, with deepest love and affection" from mother and Bella."
Harp, "To dear brother Lawrence." from his sorrowing sister "May he rest in peace."
Wreath, "Token of love, to brother Lawrence." from Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and son (Blackburn).
Anchor, "In fond remembrance of dear uncle Lawrence." from his nieces May and Kitty (Blackburn - "He did his duty well."
Flowers, "To Lawrence," from cousins at Waterfoot.
Wreath, "To my dear brother," from John, Nellie, and Elsie (Edge Cote Farm) - The signal ran, so brave the man; he nobly did his duty, and like a hero fell."
The deceased soldier was the younger son of the late Mr. Lawrence Mawdsley, farmer and was 30 years of age. He went out in July 1915 and had served on different fronts.
Before enlisting he was employed at Syke Mill as a winding master, and was greatly respected. His name is on Laneside Church roll of honour.
DEVOTED TO HIS MOTHER
The preacher at the memorial service was the vicar (the Rev. J. Dodd), who asked all people in trouble through the war to remember that God's lips were closed even to the appeal of His Blessed Son. Therefore, they must not be surprised if He was silent to us sometimes when we asked the why and the wherefore of things. For reasons known only to Himself, God had made suffering and sacrifice the law of life. Sacrifice was the only way to the highest goal and the divinest joy. Life for Him was a pathway of pain, but with His sorrow there was always plenty of unspeakable joy.
The Vicar wished his congregation to remember in their great sorrow that in His great suffering He knew it would lead to the redemption of the world. Private Mawdsley and others had lain down their lives in order that we might have true liberty. They had laid down their lives for a great cause, and in their sufferings, they had experienced a great joy, for crucified on earth, they were crowned in heaven. Were not life's greatest blessings the fruit of pain? There was not the slightest doubt of it.
Private Mawdsley had died a very noble death for our freedom from tyranny. His work would never be forgotten, and there was one splendid thing about him that he (the vicar) always admired, and which he admired in young men, and that was his devotion to his mother. Private Mawdsley was a great comfort and solace to his mother, who was over 70 years of age, and he (the preacher) trusted that God would sustain her in her great loss and trouble, and that all the bereaved would see light through the darkness, and that they would all meet their noble son and relative on the happy banks of another world.
He trusted that after this abominable war thney would have a new England - a new heaven even in England. Before the war they were by degrees wandering away from God, living for themselves in a great sense, and God in His goodness had allowed this abominable war to come, so as to recall them to their duty and their responsibility to Him.
At the close of the service the organist (Mr. James Hargraves) played "The Dead March."
Newspaper Memorials:
In cherished and loving memory of Private Lawrence Mawdsley (R.N.D.), killed in action in France, October. 24th, 1917
"Until the day dawns and the shadows flee away."
From mother and sister Arabelle, 27, Coronation Street, Haslingden.
"We have lost, heaven has gained,
One of the best this world contained."
From Jim and Kate and nephews, Willie and Jim, Holden Bank Cottages, Haslingden.
"Upright and quiet in all his ways,
Faithful and true to the end of his days;
Forgotten to the world by some he may be,
But true to my memory he ever will be.
'Tis sad but true, we don't know why,
The best are the first that are called to die."
From his loving sister, Lilian.
A loving son and affectionate Brother.
From Mother and Sister, 36 Townsend Street, Haslingden.
"We love and cherish his memory more as years roll by."
From Mother and Arabelle, Blackburn.
"Who plucked our flower ?"
The Master; and the gardener held his peace."
Fom his loving Sister, Lilian.
