I am writing to tell you how Col. Laurie fell. I was talking to him
just before his charge, and you will perhaps tell or not tell Mrs.
Laurie what I write as you think fit. Part I saw and part I was told
of after. On the 11th afternoon, after taking Neuve Chapelle, our
Infantry was brought to a standstill, and the experiment was tried of
rushing a field gun up to clear away houses, obstacles, etc., in the
open. I was chosen for this task. After helping our Infantry in one
place on 12th morning, I was told to help the R.I. Rifles to take some
houses and a trench in the evening. I rushed over to arrange with him,
and went into his trenches and among his men. All were very exhausted.
He said they simply could not go on. We arranged to attack in the
morning. I went to the Brigadier to say so, but found that he was
ordered to attack at once. Col. Laurie knew it was almost impossible,
but ran off to obey. I rushed to my gun. I just had time to blow in a
barn before the time of attack came. His men tried again and
again--only to be mown down. The ground between the two lines of
trenches was thick with dead of both sides. Colonel Laurie said,
"Follow me, I will lead you!" rushed out, and fell gallantly, shot
dead at the head of his men. Is there a finer death? For myself, I
escaped with my guns last night, and here I am resting after a
desperate 9 days. But I lost my favourite subaltern and nearly every
friend I had in the Division. I am still very lame, and this time has
been very strenuous.
Your affec. nephew,
L. OLDFIELD.
(_From Colonel Laurie's Brigadier._[10])
_March 23rd._