View source for Lawrence Adrian Renou DCM

{{infobox soldier
| image           =[[File:Renou_Lawrence_Adrian.jpg|border|400px]]
| caption         = Western Mail 15 Jun 1917, page 19
| image2          =
| caption2        =
| dateofbirth	  = c1892
| placeofbirth	  = Seymour, Victoria
| death	          = 6 Nov 1916
| placeofdeath	  = Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, England
| enlistmentage	  = 23 years, 1 month
| description	  = 5'6"
| height          = 5'6"
| weight          = 147lbs
| complexion      = fair
| eyes            = grey
| hair            = light brown
| descriptionnote = 
| occupation	  = Civil Engineer
| religion	  = Church of England
| address	  = East Cannington, Western Australia
| relation	  = Father
| nextofkin       = Mr Frederick G Renou
| regnumber	  = [https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8029052 1984]
| enlistmentdate  = 2 Mar 1915
| rank	          = WO2 Company Sergeant Major
| unit     	  = 11th Battalion, 8 - 12 Reinforcements, to 12th Battalion (Anzac), 52nd Battalion ((France)
| embarkationdatefrom = 22 Nov 1915
| embarkationdateto = 14 Dec 1915
| shipembarked	  = RMS Mongolia
| embarkedshipnote =
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| shipembarked2	  = 
| embarkedshipnote2 =
| dateofreturnfrom = 
| dateofreturnto  = 
| shipreturned    = 
| shipreturnednote =
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| fate1	          = 
| fate2           = 
| fate3           = 
| fate4           =
| monument1	  = Gosnells War Memorial
| monumentnote1   =
| monument2	  = Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
| monumentnote2   =
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| monumentnote3   =
| monument4	  = 
| monumentnote4   =
| monumentawm     = [https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1652949 Australian War Memorial]
| medal1	  = Distinguished Conduct Medal
| medal2          = 1914-15 Star
| medal3          = British War Medal
| medal4          = Victory Medal
}}


==Pre War==
Had three years prior experience with No 1 Battery, WA Field Artillery

==War Service==
Lawrence's early records are missing. but he obviously performed well in his initial training and had temporary NCO status in his reinforcement draft.

Taken on strength by the [[12th Battalion]] at Anzac Cove on 12 Jul 1915, Lawrence reverted to the ranks at that time.  However, on 27 Jul 1915 he was promoted Corporal, and on 1 Sep 1915 he was promoted again, this time to Sergeant.  On 6 Jan 1916 along with the rest of the 12th Battalion he disembarked at Alexandria from [[HMT Lake Michigan]] that had transported them back from Lemnos Island.

On 1 Mar 1916 as part of the expansion and reorganisation of the AIF in Egypt, Laurence was transferred to the [[52nd Battalion]] at Tel-el-Kebir. On 12 Mar 1916 he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major. The battalion travelled to Alexandria and on 5 Jun 1916 they boarded [[HMT Ivernia]] for Marseilles, arriving there on 12 Jun 1916. A slow train journey to northern France followed, and then a period of adjustment to trench life in one of the quieter sectors.

The 52nd Battalion was a part of the last Australian attempt to take the heavily fortified Mouquet Farm near Poziéres on 3 Sep 1916. The battalion suffered very heavy casualties before it was relieved by the 1st Canadian Battalion on 5 Sep 1916, and it would seem that it was during this relief period that Laurence was wounded - a bullet wound to the face near the eyes. Treated by the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance, he was admitted to the 49th Casualty Clearing Station on 5 Sep 1918, where he was assessed and then placed on No 12 [[Ambulance Train]] for Rouen where he was admitted to the 6th General Hospital on 8 Sep 1916.

Requiring further treatment, on 24 Sep 1916 he was embarked on [[HMHS Western Australia]] for England, and on arrival the next day (25 Sep 1916) he was admitted to the [[Royal Victoria Hospital]] at Netley. After a lengthy stay, he finally succumbed to his wounds at 3:30pm on 6 Nov 1916. Buried the next day in the Netley Military Cemetery, in Grave No 1872.

<div><ul> 
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Netley_Military_Cemetery.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Netley Military Cemetery]] </li>
</ul></div>



==Award Comment==
Distinguished Conduct Medal

<blockquote>“For conspicuous gallantry in action.  He carried out patrol work during heavy bombardment. Later, in order to build a barricade, he filled sandbags for one and a half hours under very heavy fire.  He showed a splendid example of courage and determination throughout.”<ref>1st Anzac Routine Orders dated 21 Oct 1916 Para 347/AX2489</ref><ref>Commonwealth Gazette No. 62 dated 19 Apr 1917, page 923 position 21</ref><ref>London Gazette dated 14 Nov 1916, page 11106 , position 6</ref> </blockquote>
 
==Notes==
<references />

==External Links==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Renou , Laurence Adrian}}

[[Category:Soldier]]
[[Category:Born Australia]]
[[Category:Born Vic]]
[[Category:Civil Engineer]]
[[Category:Church of England]]
[[Category:Distinguished Conduct Medal]]
[[Category:1916 WIA]]
[[Category:1916 Deaths]]
[[Category:1916 DOW]]
[[Category:Died of wounds]]
[[Category:Gosnells]]