User:MsNiamh/sandbox

Career
Gunner Lawrence Joseph Browne began his military career on the 18th of August 1914. He was aged only 18 years old at this time. He was part of the British navy and joined in their Belfast offices. He was a gunner on the HMS Defense at Portsmouth. His artillery number was 1417 in the royal marines. It is believed he may have seen action at Gallipoli. He was involved in the battle of Jutland in 1916. (It was one of the most anticipated naval battles in history. On May 31, 1916 the British Grand Fleet collided with the German High Seas Fleet off the coast of Denmark in an encounter that became known as the Battle of Jutland.) His military vessel had 903 occupants on it. Gunner Browne’s military career and life came to an end on the 31st of May 1916.

Death
Laurence Joseph Browne was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland, on the 31st of May 1916, aged 19. His vessel was one of the first casualties of the battle. 903 sailors perished on the HMS Defense and there were no survivors. He is remembered with honor at Portsmouth naval memorial, Hampshire, United Kingdom.