George Brenton Laurie

George Brenton Laurie (1867-1915) 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.”

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 Rifles in September, 1885, and joined the 2nd Battalion, then quartered at Halifax. Colonel Laurie wrote in the his History of the Irish Rifles Regiment, that the regiment experience Halifax as a “delightful station, and all were sorry to leave it.”

He went with them to Gibraltar (November, 1886), and on to Egypt (January, 1888). In 1889 Lieutenant Laurie went up the Nile with the battalion, and on 20 November 1893 was promoted to captain.

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 (London Gazette, July 29, 1902), and received the Queen's Medal with five clasps.

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