Vietnam War Australian medals to Warrant Officer Class 1 B.R. Lawrance, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, who served with the A.A.T.V. in Vietnam 1970 – 71, previously serving in Korea, being attached to 3 R.A.R. and was present during the battle of Kapyong.

Vietnam Medal, 1964; Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (E.II.R.) with suspension bar AUSTRALIA.; Meritorious Service Medal (E.II.R.).; Republic of Vietnam Medal, all impressed named 5286 B.R. LAWRANCE. (A.R.A. on L.S. and G.C.M.) Court mounted for display with copies of pictures (2), service notes, newspaper article and research by Lt. Colonel Neil Smith.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Brian Randall Lawrance was born on 22/3/1927 in Margaret River, Western Australia. He was working as a stevedore when he enlisted into the Australian Regular Army in Perth, W.A. on 13/7/1948. He was posted to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and after initial training was deployed to Korea with the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment landing with the battalion on 28/9/1950. He was with the battalion during the Battle of Kapyong

24-25 April 1951 either in the R.A.P. or working as a stretcher bearer, the battle cost the battalion thirty-two killed and 59 wounded. During the close quarter night fighting the battalion HQ was forced to withdraw and relocate as was the R.A.P. The B.H.Q. position was retaken on the night of the 24/25th killing 81 Chinese occupants. He remained with the battalion in Korea until 16/11/1952 when they returned to Australia via leave in Tokyo. He continued to soldier in the R.A.M.C. serving in Port Moresby (P.N.G.) in 1962. In 1969 he attended a Tropical Warfare Advisors Course at the Jungle Training Centre, Canungra prior to deploying as a Warrant Officer Class1 to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. He served in country in that role from 2/4/1970 – 11/3/1971. He discharged on 6/3/1974, retiring to Safety Bay, W.A. where he died on 28/4/2007.