Robert Charles LAING MM

LAING, Robert Charles

    Service Number: 844
    Enlisted: 8 February 1915, Place of enlistment - Romsey, Victoria
    Last Rank: Lieutenant
    Last Unit: 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery
    Born: Bourke, Victoria, 1888
    Home Town: Springfield, Macedon Ranges, Victoria
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Farmer
    Memorials: Romsey Presbyterian Church Honour Roll, Romsey Soldiers Honor Roll
    Show Relationships

    World War 1 Service

    8 Feb 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 844, 22nd Infantry Battalion, Place of enlistment - Romsey, Victoria
    10 May 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 844, 22nd Infantry Battalion, Embarked on HMAT 'A38' Ulysses from Melbourne on 10th May 1915.
    12 May 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery
    12 Aug 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery
    26 Aug 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 844, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Wounded in action, remained at post.
    3 May 1917: Honoured Military Medal, 'The above men [970 W. PARSONS, 844 R.C.LAING, 1981 G. NELSON, 3798 P.J. COUCH, 4470 D. McQUEEN, 4509 R.G. McSHANE, 1797 W.R. FOWLER] distinguished themselves in action in the captured trenches near BULLECOURT on 3rd May 1917, by the gallantry and determination with which they continued to serve their mortars throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn on the 5th. On no occasion was a request for fire not complied with, though the battery suffered severe losses (over half its numbers). No chance of observing fire or getting targets was thrown away and the casualties the Battery inflicted on the enemy were certainly very heavy. On one occasion a hostile party was barraged first in front, then in rear, and when brought to halt blown out without a survivor. In this the above N.C.O.s and men played a prominent part.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: 8 November 1917
    28 Sep 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery
    2 Jun 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery
    25 Jul 1918: Wounded 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Gas burns.
    3 Sep 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery
    3 Sep 1919: Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Embarked on HT Euripides from England on 3rd September 1919, disembarking Melbourne.
    1 Mar 1920: Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 844, 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery

    Help us honour Robert Charles Laing's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

    Showing 2 of 2 images.
    Click images to start slideshow.

    Links and Documents