Peter Laurence

Sir Peter Harold Laurence (18 February 1923 – 26 November 2007) was a British diplomat who served as Ambassador to Turkey from 1980 to 1983.

Early life and education Laurence was born on 18 February 1923 in Worcestershire, the son of the Venerable George Laurence, archdeacon of Lahore and Alice née Jackson. He was educated at Radley College and Christ Church, Oxford.

Career

Laurence served during World War II with the 60th Rifles rising to Major, and was awarded the Military Cross in 1944 for bravery in the Italian campaign. He then entered the Foreign Service in 1948 and worked for two years at the Foreign Office. In 1950, he was posted to Athens for three years, followed by a similar term at Trieste as assistant political adviser. He then served from 1955 to 1957 as first secretary at the Foreign Office in the Levant department; at Prague as consul for the Czechoslovak Republic from 1957 to 1960; and Cairo from 1960 to 1962.

In 1980, he was appointed Ambassador to Turkey, arriving as a coup brought Turkish generals to power. Fortunately, he enjoyed good relations with the Turkish Foreign Minister. He remained in the post until his retirement from the Diplomatic Service in 1983. and was promoted to Knight Commander (KCMG) in the 1981 Birthday Honours. In 1944, he was awarded the Military Cross (MC).