Lawrence Decimus Agg was born at Badsey on 21st March 1904, the fourth of five children (but third surviving child as an older brother had died at just a month old) of Joseph Foster Agg and his wife, Emma (née Wilkes). He was baptised in St James’ Church, Badsey, on 15th May 1904. The family lived at 11 Bullybrook Terrace (current-day No 54 Willersey Road, Badsey).
Lawrence was a pupil at Badsey School from March 1907 to 7th August 1913. Twenty days later he emigrated with his family to Canada, setting sail on 27th August 1913 from Liverpool.
Lawrence and his family lived first at 640½ Euclid Avenue, Toronto, then, by March 1916 had moved to Palace Road, Whitby, Ontario, a town in Durham region, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, about 35 miles from Toronto. At the time of the 1921 census, Lawrence lived with his parents and brother at 115 Dundas Street, Whitby.
Lawrence married Wilma Lauretta Blakely on 5th October 1925 at Oshawa, Ontario. They had three sons: Lawrence John (1926-1926), John Lawrence (1928-2011) and Peter. Initially he was in partnership with his brother, Ronald, in the grocery business, having a store on Dundas Street West. On the 1949 Voters’ list Lawrence was described as a fruit grower.
Lawrence died at Whitby, Ontario, on 11th November 1956. The following report appeared in The Oshawa Daily Times of 12th November 1956:
Lawrence D Agg Ex-Councillor dies
Lawrence D Agg, prominent businessman and former councillor in Whitby, passed away suddenly at his home, 907 King Street, at 1.30 on Sunday morning. Mr Agg had not been in the best of health for the past few years. He was 52 years of age.
Born in Whitby, Wiltshire [THIS IS WRONG – SHOULD BE BADSEY WORCESTERSHIRE!], England, he was the son of the late J F Agg and Mrs Agg. For 17 years, in partnership with his brother, Ronald, he operated a grocery store, and later he carried on himself. He also operated for some time a large orchard north of Whitby. At the time of his death he was vendor in Whitby for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. He had been in and about Whitby for 44 years.
Mr Agg was interested for several years in civic affairs and served in the town and county councils. He was deputy-reeve in the county body.
An active member of All Saints’ Anglican Church for many years, the deceased had served as warden and sidesman. In fraternal circles he was a member of Composite Lodge No 30, AF & AM. Many years ago, when a Lions Club was organized in the town, he was a member.
The deceased is survived by his wife, two sons, John of Toronto and Peter of Whitby, one brother, Ronald, Whitby, two sisters, Mrs J R Vickery of Whitby and Mrs M C Fry of Richmond Hill, also one granddaughter.
Deceased is resting at the W C Town Funeral Chapel. Service will be conducted on Tuesday November 13 at All Saints’ Church by the Rev M J Cathcart. Interment takes place in St John’s Cemetery at Port Whitby.