George Brenton Laurie

Q.S.A. (5 clasps) M.I.D. (twice). Commissioned in 1885 and fought in the Egyptian Campaign 1889 and in the South African War 1901. Died at Neuve Chapelle, France. Commemorated: Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, Nord, France.

Inscription on family memorial, St Mary the Virgin, Carlton on Trent: In loving memory of George Brenton Laurie, Colonel commanding 1st Battn Royal Irish Rifles, 2nd son of Lt General Laurie CB, MP, who fell in action in the Great European War on Friday, March 12th 1915 aged 47, while gallantly leading his men in a victorious charge at Neuve Chapelle, France. Twice mentioned in despatches, he received his commission in 1885, fought in the Egyptian Campaign 1889, the South Africa War 1901 & was awarded the Queen’s Medal with 5 clasps. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’A report of his marriage in the Sheffield Telegraph dated 22nd September 1905 reads :- “A NOTTS WEDDING IN IRELAND. “Major George Brenton Laurie, Royal Irish Rifles, son of General J. W. Laurie, M.P., was married at Rostrevor, co. Down, yesterday, [21st September 1905] to Miss Florence Clementina Vere Skeffington, daughter of the late Hon. Sydney William Foster-Skeffington, of Carlton Hall, Notts. The officiating clergy were the Rev. H. Fiennes Clinton and the Rev. E. Drury. The church was tastefully decorated with white chrysanthemums. The bride, who was given away by her cousin, Viscount Massareene and Ferrard, looked exceedingly well in graceful gown white satin trimmed with very fine antique Brussels lace. Her veil was of the same beautiful lace, and she were diamond ornaments and carried a bouquet of white lilies. Miss Mabel Skeffington, Miss Nellie Brodigan, and Miss Betty Hall acted as bridesmaids, and wore dresses of pale blue crepe de soie trimmed with lace, and hats becomingly arranged to correspond. The bridegroom presented them with badges of his regiment in gold and enamel set with pearls. Master Barton Norton carried the bride’s train, and wore a page’s suit of white satin. The reception after the ceremony was held at Rostrevor House, the residence of Sir John Ross, of Bladensburg. The bride’s travelling dress was of plum-coloured corduroy velvet, worn with hat to match, trimmed with ostrich feathers. The honeymoon will be spent Paris.” News of his death was reported in the Nottingham Evening Post on 17th March 1915 :- “A CARLTON OFFICER. “LIEUT-COL. LAWRIE KILLED IN ACTION. “Information was received in Newark last night [16th March 1915] in a telegram from the War Office of the death at the front of Lieut.-Col. Lawrie, commanding the Royal Irish Rifles. Lieut.-Col. and Mrs. Lawrie have resided at Carlton-on-Trent, near Newark, for a short time. Mrs. Lawrie being the daughter of the Hon. Mrs. Skeffington Craig, of The Hall, Carlton-on-Trent. Mrs. Lawrie was not at home when the telegram arrived, she was taking a week’s duty at a Nottingham hospital, and the sad news was conveyed to her there. “Lieut.-Col. Lawrie only returned from Aden with his regiment just before the war, and was almost immediately ordered to the front. He has been twice on short furlough at Carlton in the interim. He leaves a widow and three young children.” Above newspaper items are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918