Lieutenant Patrick James Stevenson Laing
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name:
Laing,
Patrick James Stevenson
Date of birth: 1883-02-13
Place of birth: Coupar Angus Perthshire Scotland
Next of kin: Janet Laing, mother, of 4 Mirchiston Grove, Edinburgh, Scotland
Marital status: single
Occupation (attested): Plumber
Religion: Presbyterian
Date of death:
1917-08-18
Cause of death:
Killed in action
Buried:
Fosse No. 10 Communal Cemetery Extension, II. D. 37.
MILITARY INFORMATION
Regimental number: 55540
Highest Rank:
Lieutenant
(19th Battalion)
Rank detail
- Lieutenant, 19th Battalion, Infantry (Army).
- Sergeant-Major, 19th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1914-11-12 ?
- Warrant Officer II, 19th Battalion, Infantry (Army).
Degree of service: Europe
Survived war: no
Awards
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Description: For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the attack with great courage and determination, and set a splendid example throughout.
Date of award: 1917-02-13
Comment: Gazette Issue 29940 published on the 13 February 1917. Page 36 of 40
Notes: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Images
RESEARCH INFORMATION
CVWM ID: No CVWM ID in our database, but try
this.
CWGC ID: 304730
LAC ID:
506313
Service file: B5314-S007
Uploader's Notes: Prior military service of 10 years with Royal Highlanders; 4 years Argyle and Southern Territorials.
Son of James Mackie Laing and Janet Comb Laing, of 4, Bonnington Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Son of James Mackie Laing and Janet Comb Laing, of 4, Bonnington Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Uploader's Research notes: Lieut. Patrick James Stevenson Laing DCM
19th (Toronto) Bn. CEF
Patrick James Stevenson Laing was born at Coupar, Angus Perthshire Scotland on February 13, 1883 to parents James Makie and Janet Comb Laing. Patrick was one of four children, Isabelle, Jane, and Elenor. The family later moved to 4 Mechiston Grave Edinburgh.
Little is know of his childhood, but we do know that he spent many years serving in the Territorial Army in Scotland for which he was awarded the Territorial Efficiency medal.
Sometime before the Great War Laing moved to Canada, and may have settled in or around the city of Toronto as this is where he eventually enlisted. He worked locally as a plumber his exact address is not known at this time.
The Great War
Laing joined the 19th (Toronto) Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force on November 11, 1914 which was being raised as part of the 2nd Canadian Contingent destined for immediate transport to France and Flanders. He was attested as Sergeant with the regimental number 55540 and assigned to ‘C’ Company 19th Bn. Before sailing for England the battalion was stationed at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds near the Toronto lakeshore.
The 19th sailed for England from Halifax on May 22, 1915 aboard the SS Scandinavian. Once in England the 19th was stationed at West Sandling, and Laing was confirmed in the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant on July 1, 1915. He embarked with his battalion for overseas service at Folkestone on September 14, 1915, arriving at Boulogne the same day. Appointed A/Company Sergeant Major (W.O. Class II) in the field on October 5, 1915.
It was sometime during the fighting on the Somme in September-October 1916 that C.S.M. P.J.S. Laing was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the field:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the attack with great courage and determination, and set a splendid example throughout.’
He was commissioned on October 17, 1916 to the rank of Lieutenant, and continued to serve with distinction until his death in the battle of Hill 70 on August 18, 1917.
He is buried at Fosse 10 Communal Cemetery Ext. France.
[ Army Canadian Infantry 19th Battalion Lieutenant Army Canadian Infantry 19th Battalion C Company Distinguished Conduct Medal For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the attack with great courage and determination, and set a splendid example throughout. Gazette Issue 29940 published on the 13 February 1917. Page 36 of 40 ]
19th (Toronto) Bn. CEF
Patrick James Stevenson Laing was born at Coupar, Angus Perthshire Scotland on February 13, 1883 to parents James Makie and Janet Comb Laing. Patrick was one of four children, Isabelle, Jane, and Elenor. The family later moved to 4 Mechiston Grave Edinburgh.
Little is know of his childhood, but we do know that he spent many years serving in the Territorial Army in Scotland for which he was awarded the Territorial Efficiency medal.
Sometime before the Great War Laing moved to Canada, and may have settled in or around the city of Toronto as this is where he eventually enlisted. He worked locally as a plumber his exact address is not known at this time.
The Great War
Laing joined the 19th (Toronto) Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force on November 11, 1914 which was being raised as part of the 2nd Canadian Contingent destined for immediate transport to France and Flanders. He was attested as Sergeant with the regimental number 55540 and assigned to ‘C’ Company 19th Bn. Before sailing for England the battalion was stationed at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds near the Toronto lakeshore.
The 19th sailed for England from Halifax on May 22, 1915 aboard the SS Scandinavian. Once in England the 19th was stationed at West Sandling, and Laing was confirmed in the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant on July 1, 1915. He embarked with his battalion for overseas service at Folkestone on September 14, 1915, arriving at Boulogne the same day. Appointed A/Company Sergeant Major (W.O. Class II) in the field on October 5, 1915.
It was sometime during the fighting on the Somme in September-October 1916 that C.S.M. P.J.S. Laing was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the field:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the attack with great courage and determination, and set a splendid example throughout.’
He was commissioned on October 17, 1916 to the rank of Lieutenant, and continued to serve with distinction until his death in the battle of Hill 70 on August 18, 1917.
He is buried at Fosse 10 Communal Cemetery Ext. France.
[ Army Canadian Infantry 19th Battalion Lieutenant Army Canadian Infantry 19th Battalion C Company Distinguished Conduct Medal For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the attack with great courage and determination, and set a splendid example throughout. Gazette Issue 29940 published on the 13 February 1917. Page 36 of 40 ]
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Date added: 2004-09-04
Last modified: 2009-08-22