... I have never had the opportunity till now of telling you how we
all felt Colonel Laurie's death, nor how much his unfailing cheery and
cheering presence in the hunting field has been and will again be
missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and everybody who
hunted with him will always retain the very pleasantest memories of
his kindness....
_The following is an extract from 4th Corps Orders, dated March 14th,
1915, by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Rawlinson, Bart., K.C.B.,
C.V.O._:--
"The brilliant success which the troops of the 4th Corps have achieved
in the capture of Neuve Chapelle is of the first importance to the
Allied cause, especially at this period of the war. The heroism and
gallantry of the regimental Officers and men, and the assistance
afforded them by the artillery units, is deserving of the highest
praise, and the Corps Commander desires to congratulate them on the
severe defeat they have inflicted on the enemy, whose losses amount to
not less than 4,000 men in killed and prisoners alone. The magnificent
behaviour of the infantry units is deserving of the highest
commendation, and in deploring the loss of those gallant comrades who
have given their lives for their King and Country, Sir Henry Rawlinson
hopes that all Officers and men fully realize that what they have
accomplished, in breaking through the German line, is an achievement
of which they should all feel justly proud."