Regiment: Northumberland Fus.
Died: 06 June 1917 aged 30 in France. Killed in action.
Cemetery: Arras Memorial BAY 2/3
Born June 30th 1887. Son of F . M. Laing, Farnley Grange, Corbridge-on-Tyne.
Middle IV B—Science Form.
Shipowner.
He attended Armstrong College in Newcastle, where he studied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering. He gained a BSc.
Great War, Captain 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers.
Husband of Edith Frances Laing, of 15, Kingsland, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Extract from unit war diary:
Greenland Hill
On the morning of June 6th 1917, the enemy were reported by the Royal Flying Corps to be holding the position with about twenty men, so it was decided to attack at once over the open, the men of No 1 and 3 Coys to assist by bombing along the trench. At about 2.30pm one of our light trench mortars opened a short burst of fire, and this attack was made as soon as the Stokes Gun finished firing. The enemy appeared to be taken by surprise as the whole position was captured with only slight resistance, although two officers and seventy two other ranks were taken prisoner, two light machine guns and one light trench mortar captured.
At 1am (on the 7th) the enemy launched a strong counter attack but only succeeded in getting to within twenty yards of our trenches with at least 400 casualties. Our casualties were very small.
Newcastle University memorial
Service record:WO 339/14775
Unit war diary:WO 95/2462/4