Private John William Laurie
| Date of Birth | c. 1899 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 20 |
| Date of Death | 20 May 1918 |
| Service Number | 89521 |
| Military Service | 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) |
| Merton Address | 93 Haydons Road |
| Local Memorial | Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon |
Additional Information
John was born in Notting Hill in 1899 but by 1911 the family were living in Wimbledon at 100 Nelson Road. His father James was a laundryman while his wife Rosina (Rosie) looked after Mary, John, Charlotte, James and, much later, youngest brother Alfred.
By 1917 they were at 93 Haydons Road. John enlisted just before his 18th birthday. He was 5ft 3ins tall but there are no other details of his appearance on his record.
Initially he was a Rifleman with the 8th Battalion of the London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) before transferring to the 2nd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment as a Private.
John was reported missing on 24 April 1918. Later, a report was received that he had been captured and died of wounds while being transferred to Frankfurt on 20 May 1918. He is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery, Germany.
At the time John's death was notified, his father was serving in the Suffolk Regiment, reg no 290842.