CAPTAIN DAVID LAWRENCE DSC RFA(RETD), CROSSED THE BAR. SITREP 1 (279)

Updated DSC Citation

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It is with so much sadness that I pass on this report from Scotford Lawrence regarding the passing of his brother David:-

“I am unsure whether you are the right person to contact on this matter, but I trust that you will pass on the following information to the appropriate department. Given below is the text of the formal obituary notice for my brother David Lawrence whose name appears in your on-line records. He was an RFA officer for some 35 years, having joined from the merchant marine in 1958.

LAWRENCE – Captain David Everett Lawrence RFA DSC (Falklands). Peacefully in his sleep at home on 8th November aged 84.  Husband of the late Janet and father to Angela, Richard and Christopher.  He was much loved and will be greatly missed by family, brothers and grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held at Gloucester Crematorium on Friday 2nd December at 11.am. (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) Family flowers only.  Donations in lieu to Salter’s Hill Charity (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) may be sent c/o Allen-White Funeral Directors, Crown Mews, Bath Road, Kings Stanley, Stonehouse, Glos. GL10 3JG (HERE for their website and HERE for a map)”

Shipmates and colleagues will be most welcome to attend David’s funeral and will be invited to take refreshments with the family afterwards.

On behalf of the RFA Association I extend our sincere condolences to all his children and family.

DSC Citation

David Lawrence was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in RFA Sir Geraint during the Falklands Conflict, below is the citation for that award:-

Captain David Lawrence of RFA Sir Geraint.

Distinguished Service Cross. (DSC) (1982)

RFA Sir Geraint was one of the first members of the amphibious task group and was present in San Carlos Water throughout the period of intense air attack immediately after the landing on May 21.

Day after day the lightly armed ship was subjected to fierce attack by large numbers of enemy aircraft using cannon, rockets and bombs.

Subsequently she was employed on the re-supply of troops at Teal Inlet, an unenviable task which was performed cheerfully and with great courage.

For this, the ship had to work unescorted and to lie in daylight in the exposed anchorage wide open to air attack with little area air defence.

Throughout the period, from the landing on May 21 to the fall of Port Stanley on June 14, Capt. Lawrence was an inspiration to his men.By his courage, leadership and energy he was able to carry his ship and her Chinese crew through a dangerous and difficult period of duty far beyond that which can normally be expected.  He performed all the tasks asked of him in a manner equal to the best traditions of the R.F.A. Service .

If you have any remembrances of David please email it to me at deputy.chairman@rfaa.uk and I will post them on this page. I am also looking for photographs of David for this piece and the RFA Association Gallery and Archive, If you have one please email it to me.

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Brian Waters writes:-