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 God in His mercy comfort you!...
MASSEREENE.
(_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 w
|