Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie Part 13

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

About ten days ago I received a copy of Col. Laurie's "History of the Royal Irish Rifles" which he had very kindly promised to send me. I was kept very busy on duty, so much so that I never had time to see him and thank him. And now, to my great grief, I have to write and tell you how very grateful I was for the book, and at the same time how very deeply I sympathize with you in your great loss. I need scarcely tell you how splendidly the Royal Irish Rifles did in the battle of Neuve Chapelle, and how grandly they were led by their Colonel.

My father had been in the 83rd many years ago, and I had written the history of my own regiment, so we had bonds of sympathy, and I had had several talks with your husband. So you must please accept my very deepest sympathy in his death, and in your very great loss.

Believe me, Yours sincerely, W. HASTURP ANDERSON.

(_From a cousin._)

ANTRIM CASTLE, IRELAND.

_March 24th, 1915._

... I had the very greatest respect for George; he was an ideal soldier and comrade. May G.o.d in His mercy comfort you!...

Ma.s.sEREENE.

(_From Mrs. Clinton Baker._)

BAYFORDBURY, HERTFORD.

_March 28th, 1915._

Writing of her son, she says: "Osbert feels his Colonel's death deeply. When telling me of it, he said: 'I _could_ only write a short letter; I know you will have written to Mrs. Laurie to try to soften the blow.'--'Ten young officers and 250 men have now been sent out from home.'"

(_From General and Mrs. Bird._[11])

22, ALBANY VILLAS, BRIGHTON.

_March 29th, 1915._

... We have not written to tell you how deeply we sympathize with you in your great sorrow, as I know letters are of no comfort in times of sadness, but to-day, in a letter we received, such words of admiration were written of Colonel Laurie that I felt I should like to write and repeat them: "Colonel Laurie handled his battalion to perfection during the attack on Neuve Chapelle, and his death is an irreparable loss to the 1st Battalion."

We have always heard what a splendid soldier Colonel Laurie was, and our country does so need such leaders now in the army to bring victory....

(_From General Sir John Keir, K.C.B._)

_May 4th, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

I have such a deep admiration and respect for your late husband, for Col. Laurie was, as you know, in command of the 28th M.I. in the column I commanded in S. Africa, where I learnt to appreciate his value as a soldier and his many other sterling qualities. After the campaign we used to hear from one another on occasions of mutual congratulation and the like. His loss to the Service is a very great one, but one cannot imagine a more glorious ending to a fine career, falling at the head of the regiment he loved so well, and which he led with such skill and bravery. His name remains one held in honour for all time.

Yours sincerely, J.N. KEIR.

(_From General the Right Hon. Sir Nevil Macready, G.C.M.G., K.C.B._)

WAR OFFICE.

_April 2nd, 1915._

MY DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

Only yesterday I was aware of your address. I write only a line to ask you to accept my deep and sincere sympathy in the loss you have sustained. You indeed have given to the Country of your best, and if there is any consolation it may be in the fact that my old friend died as every soldier would wish to, at the head of his battalion in a successful action.

Trusting you and the children are well.

Yours ever sincerely, C.N. MACREADY.

(_From W.F.E. Denison, Esq._)[12]

OSSINGTON, NEWARK, NOTTS.

_July 18th, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

Thank you so much for sending me that nice photograph of Colonel Laurie. I think the likeness is excellent. I am so glad to possess it, and shall value it greatly always. I do think of him so constantly, every time I go by Carlton and see all the things there in which he took so great an interest, and the fields where one went shooting, and he was so keen about it all. There is a recollection for me at almost every gateway. He was indeed a most kind and sympathetic neighbour to us and a real friend. Thank you again and again for the photograph; it is most kind of you to have sent it to me.

Yours very sincerely, W.F.E. DENISON.

_Lady Cicely Pierrepont_ wrote:--

Th.o.r.eSBY PARK, OLLERTON, NOTTS.

_September 15th, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

... I have never had the opportunity till now of telling you how we all felt Colonel Laurie's death, nor how much his unfailing cheery and cheering presence in the hunting field has been and will again be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and everybody who hunted with him will always retain the very pleasantest memories of his kindness....

_The following is an extract from 4th Corps Orders, dated March 14th, 1915, by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Rawlinson, Bart., K.C.B., C.V.O._:--

"The brilliant success which the troops of the 4th Corps have achieved in the capture of Neuve Chapelle is of the first importance to the Allied cause, especially at this period of the war. The heroism and gallantry of the regimental Officers and men, and the a.s.sistance afforded them by the artillery units, is deserving of the highest praise, and the Corps Commander desires to congratulate them on the severe defeat they have inflicted on the enemy, whose losses amount to not less than 4,000 men in killed and prisoners alone. The magnificent behaviour of the infantry units is deserving of the highest commendation, and in deploring the loss of those gallant comrades who have given their lives for their King and Country, Sir Henry Rawlinson hopes that all Officers and men fully realize that what they have accomplished, in breaking through the German line, is an achievement of which they should all feel justly proud."

THE LATE COLONEL LAURIE.

_To the Editor of the_ "_Irish Times._"