Photo: James Pasby
Private
L. Handysides
23rd Durham Bn.
Home Guard
4th April 1943
Loved in Life
Remembered in Death
O Lord
For Ever in Thy Care
Lawrence was born on the 3rd June 1921 at Washington possibly the eldest child of five children to George [born 6th December 1882], and Elizabeth Ann Handysides, [born 25th May 1886], of 11 North East Cottages, Washington Station.
The other children were Thomas born 28th August 1919, Robert born 18th October 1913, Elizabeth McVay nee Handysides born 6th October 1915, and one other undentified. The father was a Level crossing keeper, Thomas was a Signal Box lad, Robert was a Grade2 Porter but was training to be a signal man, and Lawrence was training to be a Signalbox keeper all working for the L.N.E.R. Elizabeth was a Heat Insulation worker.
The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 05/04/1943 reports:-
TWO NORTH H.G. KILLED
Two Washington Home Guards were killed yesterday and one severely injured as the result a mishap when their last grenade was being thrown. Dead are Robert Mills, of Bell Street, and Laurence Handiside, North-Eastern Cottages. Thomas Fisher, the injured man, of The Terrace.
[Robert] Mills, who was Company Quartermaster-Sergeant, a fortnight ago returned from a course, and was acting as instructor to the other two men. They were using a discharger cup rifle, when there was an explosion and all three fell to the ground. Medical aid was summoned, and Fisher who had severe injuries to his head and face, was rushed to hospital.
Thomas Fisher died on the 13th June 1943.
Laurence Handysides is remembered at Washington on W96.01.
