Lawrence entered the
Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve as a
midshipman in 1939, and was promoted to
Sub-lieutenant while serving aboard the
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS
Alaunia. He received
Mention in Dispatches for service aboard
HMCS Moosejaw during the battle of
Convoy SC 42. He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross for leading
HMCS Oakville's boarding party onto the sinking
U-94 during the battle of convoy TAW-15. The citation reads: :"Lieutenant Lawrence was in charge of a boarding party of two which attempted to prevent the scuttling of a U-boat. With complete disregard for his own safety, the Officer, accompanied by a Petty Officer, boarded the U-boat and, having subdued the enemy crew, he took action in an endeavor to prevent the scuttling of the U-boat, notwithstanding the fact that it was then sinking. His spirited and determined conduct was worthy of the highest traditions of the Royal Canadian Navy." Lawrence was subsequently promoted to
lieutenant and executive officer of HMCS
Oakville. Lawrence was next assigned as gunnery officer in the commissioning crew of
HMCS Sioux. He was transferred from the volunteer reserve to the
Royal Canadian Navy in 1945 and became executive officer of HMCS
Sioux. He received a
master's degree from the
University of Ottawa before retiring from the Navy in 1965. ==Retirement==