TOPIC:

This may be him, making an allowance for his actual age being two years less than that that the press reported (or they could have been two different William Lawrences): -

William Lewis Lawrence, born 3rd quarter of 1865 in the Monmouth registration district.

William Lawrence, died 1st quarter of 1900 in the Alverstoke registration district, aged 34.

The Newton and Earlestown Guardian (19.1.1900) has a similar report to that in the Leigh Chronicle, but with two additional pieces of information. "On Jan. 6th Lawrence marched with his regiment from Fareham to Portsmouth (11 miles) for inspection by the Duke of Connaught. He was buried on the 17th inst. at St. Ann's Hill Cemetery, Gosport." It's actually Ann's Hill Cemetery, but W. L. Lawrence isn't in its Find A Grave database.
It's possible that the press reports got his regiment wrong.

Private James Moore, 1st V.B. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, died from influenza, on the 16th of February, 1900.

....The departure for final selection at Preston of local Volunteers who have offered their services for the war in South Africa, took place on Monday morning last . . . . those of the men whose teeth were not in a satisfactory state were handed to the charge of Mr. J. J. Breakell. A testimony of the earnestness of the men in their desire to serve their country was evidenced in one or two instances by the dental ordeal they had to undergo. One Chorley man is said to have had 11 teeth drawn on Tuesday.
....The men of the 1st Volunteer Battalion who were chosen were as follow:—
....From Chorley—Sergeant T. Jackman and Orderly Room Sergeant A. Fowler; Corporal J. Hodgson; Privates R. Green, R. Hastings, J. W. Lowes, W. Jackman, R. McCudden, J. Jordan, J. Hesketh, W. Harrison, O. Hart, C. Robinson, and J. Moore.
The Chorley Guardian, Saturday 27th January 1900


....One of the most eager of the Chorley Volunteers for the front, and who was among the selected 21, from Chorley and Horwich (left wing), of the 1st V.B. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, has been prevented by death from going out to fight the battles of his country. This is Private James Moore, of 40, Anderton-street, Chorley. Deceased was 25 years of age, and since the selection of the Volunteers has been in training at Fulwood Barracks. He had been a Volunteer several years, and since his selection underwent a severe experience by having several teeth drawn in order to meet the medical requirements. Along with the other Volunteers, he came home for the weekend last Saturday, but was subsequently laid up with an attack of influenza, and was not in a fit condition to return to barracks on Monday. He continued indoors during the week, being very desirous of rejoining his comrades at Preston, but early yesterday morning he died somewhat suddenly. Deceased was at Heapey several days last week, and on Sunday last attended St. Mary's Church, Mount Pleasant. The funeral will take place on Monday next.
The Chorley Guardian, Saturday 17th February 1900

Berenice,

I have never considered the dental health of recruits but imagine that would have been a problem for many men? The service papers record that men were passed fit for service but we see very little of the men who were rejected and the reasons for those rejections.

I guess for some young volunteers their medical inspection may have been the first time their teeth were inspected?

What I don't understand is how having eleven bad teeth removed would make a man fit for active service. How would he then be able to eat the "dog biscuits" the troops were given? I'm assuming that Mr J. J. Breakell told him that having them removed would enable him to pass the medical examination.