George Brenton Laurie was a Nova Scotian army officer and author who distinguished himself in both the Boer War and the First World War. In the latter war he was killed in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. General Sir John Keir, K.C.B, said of him "I learnt to appreciate his value as a soldier and his many other sterling qualities. … His name remains one held in honour for all time."
Early years
Laurie was the son of John Wimburn Laurie, and was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 13, 1867 and raised in Oakfield, Nova Scotia. At age 17, Laurie received his first commission in the Royal Irish Riflesin September, 1885, and joined the 2nd Battalion, then quartered at Halifax. Colonel Laurie wrote in his History of the Irish Rifles Regiment, that the regiment experienced Halifax as a "delightful station, and all were sorry to leave it." He went with them to Gibraltar in November 1886, and on to Egypt in January 1888, where the following year Lieutenant Laurie went up the Nile with the battalion. He was promoted to captain on 20 November 1893.
Boer War
In 1901 Laurie was posted to South Africa, and served in the Second Boer War until the war ended in June 1902. He was in command of the 28th battalion Mounted Infantry, and on 14 February 1902 received the local rank of major whilst in command. During the war he fought in the Transvaal, the Orange River Colony, and the Cape Colony. He was mentioned in Despatches for his services, and received the Queen's Medal with five clasps. The Boer war ended in June 1902, and three months later Laurie returned to be a regular captain in the 2nd battalion of his regiment, still stationed in South Africa.
During WW1, he went to France in November 1914 with the Irish Rifles and participated in the First Battle of Ypres. On November 21, 1914, he wrote from the trenches: Again, from the trenches on December 18, 1914 he wrote,
Christmas 1914
He also wrote about the momentary peace at Christmas. From the trenches he wrote on Christmas Day 1914, Two days later on December 27 he wrote, They spent the winter in the trenches, taking their share in the fierce fighting in December.
Battle of Neuve Chapelle
On March 10, 1915, Laurie took part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, and were the first battalion to reach the village. He was the first man who charged into Neuve Chapelle. About 7.30 one of the soldiers reported: On Friday evening, March 12th, a fresh assault was ordered. Laurie rallied his exhausted men, and, calling out "Follow me! I will lead you!" he sprang over the parapet, revolver in hand. A moment later he fell shot through the head. He was buried with his fallen officers and men in a garden near Neuve Chapelle. During this war he was twice Mentioned in Despatches.
Family
He was born to Lieut.-General John Wimburn Laurie, C.B., M.P., of 47, Porchester Terrace, London, and Mrs. Laurie, of Oakfield, Nova Scotia. He was grandson of the Hon. Enos Collins, M.L.C., of Gorse Brook, Halifax, and great-grandson of Sir Brenton Halliburton, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. His brother John was killed in the Second Boer War and is listed on the South African War Memorial. He married, in September, 1905, Florence Clementina Vere Skeffington, eldest daughter of the late Hon. Sydney William Skeffington, and left three children—George Haliburton, born August, 1906; Blanche, born 1907; and Sydney Vere, born 1910. His father was given a coffee pot by Dr. Inglis which was a precious heirloom in Colonel Laurie's family.
