Lance Sergeant Joseph Laing

Lance Sergeant Joseph Laing, 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action on 11th April 1917 during the Battle of Arras, aged 21. He had been born in Coldingham and was the son of Mrs Jane Laing of 215 Easter Road, Edinburgh and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He fell in an heroic but suicidal attack on the strong German positions in the Chemical Works near Roeux.  The barrage was weak and ineffectual and the Battalion together with the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers attacked over open ground in broad daylight into the fire of thirty machine guns. Some men under Lt Donald Mackintosh got into an enemy trench and drove of several counter attacks until they were eventually overwhelmed. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. 12 Officers and 420 Other Ranks took part in the action and 12 Officers and 363 Other Ranks became casualties. The photos show British troops during the Battle.