Lawrence, Bruce Effingham (1879–1948)

1879–1948

Parents: Octavius Vernon Lawrence (1836–1915) and Jessie Barnard (1847–1939)
Spouse: Alice Maud Kirkham Law (1884–1972)
Children: Percy Lawrence (1920-2011), Jean Lawrence (1921-2007), Verona Lawrence (1921-1981), Grace Lawrence, and Eva Lawrence (1927-2014).
Kinship: Third cousin four times removed of the post–World War II Smith generation

Background and Family Branch Bruce Effingham Lawrence belonged to the Tasmanian/Australian branch of the Lawrence family that descended from William Effingham Lawrence, who left England for London and whose son later settled in Tasmania. The use of the name Effingham continued through this branch, reflecting the family’s desire to preserve the original New York name.

Life in Australia Bruce was born in 1879, likely in Tasmania, where his parents resided before moving to mainland Australia. As an adult, Bruce settled in the Gippsland region of Victoria. Electoral rolls and contemporary records place him at Narracan and Trafalgar in the Warragul district, where he worked as a farmer. His siblings also remained in Australia, and his parents lived well into the twentieth century in Victoria.

Marriage and Family He married Alice Maud Kirkham Law, who survived him by many years. Their known children were Percy, Jean, Verona, Grace, and Eva. Alice later appears to have remarried after Bruce’s death, but this awaits formal confirmation through Victorian marriage records.

Death Bruce Effingham Lawrence died on 17 September 1948 at Warragul, Victoria, and was described as “late of Narracan” in local notices.