Regimental number | 844 |
Place of birth | Bourke Victoria |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Farmer |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 27 |
Next of kin | Father, Jas Laing, Springfield near Romsey, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 22nd Battalion, D Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/39/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on |
Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 22nd Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'For distinguished service and gallantry in action near Bullecourt, when he continued to serve his mortar throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn.' Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'The above men [LAING, 970 W. PARSONS, 1981 G. NELSON, 3798 P.J. COUCH, 4470 D. McQUEEN, 4509 R.G. McSHANE, 1797 W.R. FOWLER] distinguished themselves in action in the captured trenches near BULLECOURT on 3rd May 1917, by the gallantry and determination with which they continued to serve their mortars throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn on the 5th. On no occasion was a request for fire not complied with, though the battery suffered severe losses (over half its numbers). No chance of observing fire or getting targets was thrown away and the casualties the Battery inflicted on the enemy were certainly very heavy. On one occasion a hostile party was barraged first in front, then in rear, and when brought to halt blown out without a survivor. In this the above N.C.O.s and men played a prominent part.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: |