After attending the University of Cambridge, where he played first-class cricket for Cambridge University Cricket Club, Lawrence served with the Coldstream Guards from 1933 until his death in 1939.
The son of Dr Gwynne Lawrence, he was born at Mayfair, where he resided at Green Street.
[8] After graduating from Cambridge, Lawrence chose a career in the British Army, enlisting with the Coldstream Guards.
[9] In that same year he played a first-class match for the British Army cricket team against Cambridge University,[6] scoring 80 runs opening the batting in the Army's first-innings.
[10] He served in Palestine during the Arab revolt prior to serving as the aide-de-camp to John Loder, the Governor of New South Wales, until relinquishing his appointment in October 1938.