The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Chiad Fhear · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 17 Location: St Andrews, Fife

Just spotted Archibald Laing on the LOGIE WW1 Memorial and curious to know if there's any more information about him.

I have an Archibald Laing 1882-1917 in my tree and wonder if it's him.

This from my Notes ...
"It is almost certain that Archibald was S/7998 Private A M Laing, 10th Bn., Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), age 35, who was 'Killed in Action', 9 May 1917 in Salonica, Greece, listed as Commonwealth War Dead and buried at the Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece. The Doiran Memorial marks the scene of the fierce fighting of 1917-1918, which caused the majority of the Commonwealth battle casualties. From October 1915 to the end of November 1918, the British Salonika Force suffered some 2,800 deaths in action, 1,400 from wounds and 4,200 from sickness."

Hoping for a response

Regards

Chiad Fhear
_________________
Aye mair questions than answers in a world whaur the past wis a different place - that cannae be revisited!!

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:51 pm Post subject:

Hi
The index of WW1 medals at National Archives lists 6 Archibald Laings
but only one for the Royal Highlanders - Archibald M Laing
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=first_name%3darchibald%7clast_name%3dlaing&catid=10&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

The Scottish National War Memorial has your man
Alexander Mitchell Laing as born WORMIT, Fife.

Co-incidentally (or Not????) it also has
Alexander Mitchell Laing, Private 14088, 5th Dragoon Guards
Died 24/8/1918 Born Crieff.

Hope this helps
_________________
Ken

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:54 pm Post subject:

Moving to the Queries & Requests section.

Thanks

Adam

Chiad Fhear · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 17 Location: St Andrews, Fife

Thanks for moving this post Adam. I wasn't sure where to put in and thought I'd added it to the Logie WW1 Memorial site but it didn't seem to work.

Thanks also Ken for your reply. You certainly know how to 'muddy the water' Confused

but then that's what I like about Forum exchanges. Some good comes out of them sooner or later and it's only be spearin' (asking) that we gain knowledge.

I don't think the Crieff connection is one of mine but the Wormit one could well be. It'll take a bit more 'digging' but I'll see what comes of it. The one I queried about was also born in Fife but at Anstruther Farm on 6 Aug 1882 (in the Anstruther Easter Parish).

Appreciate your assistance nevertheless

Regards

Chiad Fhear
_________________
Aye mair questions than answers in a world whaur the past wis a different place - that cannae be revisited!!

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Chiad

The service number is S/7988.
From records Archibald Mitchell Laing was born at Wormit and enlisted at Cupar, Fife. He was KIA on 7th May 1917, Salonica theatre. He landed in France on 20th September 1915.

His birth was registered at Anstruther (Easter) in 1882. It appears his parents were Thomas (farm svt) b. Cuper and Anne Laing b. Crail.

Hope this assists.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Chiad Fhear · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 17 Location: St Andrews, Fife

Hi Jim

Thanks for joining 'the debate' ... it beats watching all that election rubbish on the TV Laughing

His service number was a typo ... it should be as you state S/7988 and not S/7998.

Thinking about it LOGIE would tie in nicely with WORMIT!

It seems we have the background of ANOTHER Archibald Laing to look into!

I was at the funeral of a Laing colleague today and talking to some of his relations it seems as if there's more of us around this neck of Fife than I originally thought Confused

!

Time for another trip to the Records Office in Edinburgh methinks!

Regards

Chiad Fhear
_________________
Aye mair questions than answers in a world whaur the past wis a different place - that cannae be revisited!!