LAING, John Daniel

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Exeter, Ontario
Original Unit
161st Huron Battalion
Regimental Number
654353
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
20 years 11 months
Cemetery
Charleroi Communal Cemetery - Hainaut - Belgium
Cenotaph
Exeter Cenotaph
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         2nd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             5th Infantry Brigade
                                             24th Battalion - Victoria Rifles
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654353
RESIDENCE:                    Exeter – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            January 13, 1898
                                             Hay Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           December 20, 1918              20 years     11 months
CEMETERY:                     Charleroi Communal Cemetery – Charleroi –
                                             Hainaut – Belgium
                                                 P     2
PARENTS:                         Mr. Thomas and Annie Laing – Exeter – Ontario
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         Exeter – January 26, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 18 years

After the 161st departed from Halifax arriving overseas on November 11,1916. On February 23, 1918, Private Laing was Taken off Strength from the 161st Battalion and absorbed into the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion based at Witley Camp - Surrey. On the same day, he was posted to the 1st Overseas Battalion based at Bramshott - Hampshire. Then on August 6th he was Struck off Strength of the 1st overseas Battalion and transferred to the 24th Battalion in the field.
Private Laing contacted broncho pneumonia and died from complications at No. 20 British Casualty Clearing Station - Charleroi.
He was transferred to the 24th Battalion on August 6, 1918 from the Reinforcement Camp.
On August 10, 1918, he had a blistered heel and was admitted to No. 3 Australian General Hospital. Then he 
      moved to No. 5 Convalescent Depot and was discharged as fit on October 4, 1918.
Private Laing then rejoins his unit in the field at Marquion on October 16, 1918 but then is admitted to No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station located at Gosselies – Hanaut – Belgium with Pyrexia of unknown origin on 
November 26, 1918 and from there is moved to No. 20 Casualty Clearing station with Pneumonia on 
     December 5, 1918.
On December 11, 1918, he is reported as dangerously ill and on December 20th he dies of broncho-pneumonia from exposure while on military duties.