| Regimental number | 2698 |
| Place of birth | Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales |
| School | Technical High School, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Boatbuilder |
| Address | Ryde, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Edith Adelina Laird, 'Simla', Blaxland Road, Ryde, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | 19th Infantry |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 56th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/73/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 56th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Place of death or wounding | Peronne, France |
| Age at death | 21.2 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
| Place of burial | Daours Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot VIII, Row B, Grave No. 65), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 162 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Charles and Edith LAIRD, "Simla", Blaxland Road, Ryde, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'During the attack on PERONNE on 1st September 1918 Lance Corporal LAIRD handled his men in a very cool and masterly way. Shortly after the commencement of the attack the work of this N.C.O. in re-organisation and general handling of his men was very conspicuous. Despite heavy casualties to his section he managed to get forward his gun team in order to engage an enemy Machine Gun. By doing this he very effectively kept down its fire and assisted materially the advance of troops on his flanks. His personal disregard of danger, unceasing energy and devotion to duty were indeed very inspiring and I strongly recommend him for the Military Medal.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
