The 1914/15 Star trio, paybook, discharge certificate and flip-photo book to 10/963 Sgt. George Theordore Lawlor, who served on Gallipoli and was a survivor of the sinking of the Marquette in October 1915.

 

George Lawlor was born 23rd May 1889 at Te Aroha, New Zealand. Son of Theodore Minet Haultain and Kate Parnell Lawlor (née Cleeve). At the time of his enlistment in the NZEF in August 1914, Lawlor was working as a Commercial Traveller for Farmers Corp in Hastings. He embarked with the Main Body, and landed on Gallipoli on 25th April with 9th (Hawkes Bay) Company, Wellington Infantry Battalion. In late July Lawlor was evacuated from the peninsula, suffering from enteric and influenza. Upon recovery in Egypt, he was discharged to duty with No. 3 Stationary Hospital and then attached to No. 1 Stationary Hospital. He embarked on the Marquette on 20th October 1915, bound for Salonika. On the 23rd October, the Marquette was hit by a torpedo fired from German U-35, and rapidly sank. After spending several hours in he water, clinging to a door Lawlor was evidently picked up by a minesweeper and survived the ordeal.

 

In May 1916 he formally transferred to the NZ Medical Corps, serving in France with No. 1 Stationary Hospital throughout the remainder of the war. He was appointed temp. sergeant in April 1918.

 

George Lawlor died at Napier on 16th January 1941.

 

The trio is correctly impressed 10/963 SJT. G.T. LAWLOR. N.Z.E.F.

The lot comes with Lawlor's paybook, annotated "Original paybook lost on the Marquette.", discharge certificate and unusual flip-book of portrait photographs of Lawlor.

Service file held at Archives New Zealand