LAIRD C
LAIRD, Colin
Regiment: 19th Bn. The King’s (Liverpool Regiment)
Rank: Lance Captain
Number:
Died: 20 September 1917
Aged: 29
Buried/ Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Address: 'Plas Coed', Shavington Avenue, Hoole
Cheshire Observer 29 September 1917
PRO PATRIA ACTING CAPTAIN COLIN LAIRD
“The foregoing is a portrait of Acting Capt. Colin Laird Kings (Liverpool) regiment son of Mr and Mrs W D Laird Glascoed Shavington Avenue Hoole whose death in action was recorded last week.”
Cheshire Observer 13 October 1917
LIEUT. COLIN LAIRD (KILLED)
“News of the death in action, on 20th Sept., of Lieut. (Acting Captain) Colin Laird, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, and younger son of Mr W.D. Laird, Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures to the Cheshire County Council, and Mrs Laird, Plas Coed, Shavington Avenue, Chester, will be received with profound sorrow in Chester and district. Lieut. Laird, who was 29, was an old King’s School boy, and after completing his education, entered the office of the County Accountant. As soon as war broke out he responded to the country’s call and joined the King’s Liverpool Regiment on 1st September, 1914. After 12 months’ training he obtained a commission in the same regiment and had been at the front 13 months, an in much severe fighting. His death has caused sorrow among his fellow officers and the men of his battalion among whom he was esteemed for his personal qualities and his efficiency and gallantry as a soldier. The Lieut. Colonel commanding the battalion writing to his parents says that he was leading a party of men endeavouring to capture a German strong point in the big battle, and from stories gleaned from his mean, he was killed instantaneously by a German machinegun, when only about 20 yards from his objective. The commanding officer added, - “He died gallantly as a fine soldier and an English gentleman. His loss to me is a great one, as I had a great trust in his capability and courage. He was rapidly being promoted in the profession which he took up when his country called him. He was always cheerful and bright, and it was always a pleasure to meet him. I know nothing can help you in your great sorrow at this moment, but hope that possibly his brother officers and my own great opinion of him will somewhat help to soften the trouble. With great sympathy from his brother officers and myself”. In civil life, as in the army, Lieut. Laird was held in high esteem. His never-failing cheerfulness and good heart made him popular wherever he went. He was an enthusiastic oarsman, having been for several years an active member of the Grosvenor Rowing Club, of which he had been vice-captain. He was always looked upon as a through sportsman. He had rowed in successful crews of the Grosvenor Club and was a useful oar, but at sculling he shone most and gave promise of developing into a really good sculler. He has won the Junior Sculls at Chester Regatta, and at the last regatta competed unsuccessfully against strong opposition for the championship of the Dee. He had also won several club sculling races. He leaves a widow and to her and the other members of his family much sympathy will be extended.”
Cheshire Observer 26 December 1914
CHESTER OARSMEN SERVING THEIR COUNTRY
"Private Colin Laird 1st battalion Pals Liverpool Regiment."
The 1911 Census shows Colin as a 22-year-old accountant for the County Council living in Shavington Avenue with father William, mother Kate, sister Louie and Flora MacAlister a domestic servant.