Writing of her son, she says: "Osbert feels his Colonel's death deeply. When telling me of it, he said: 'I could only write a short letter; I know you will have written to Mrs. Laurie to try to soften the blow.'—'Ten young officers and 250 men have now been sent out from home.'"
(From General and Mrs. Bird.[11])
22, Albany Villas,
Brighton.
March 29th, 1915.
... We have not written to tell you how deeply we sympathize with you in your great sorrow, as I know letters are of no comfort in times of sadness, but to-day, in a letter we received, such words of admiration were written of Colonel Laurie that I felt I should like to write and repeat them: "Colonel Laurie handled his battalion to perfection during the attack on Neuve Chapelle, and his death is an irreparable loss to the 1st Battalion."
We have always heard what a splendid soldier Colonel Laurie was, and our country does so need such leaders now in the army to bring victory....
(From General Sir John Keir, K.C.B.)
May 4th, 1915.
Dear Mrs. Laurie,
I have such a deep admiration and respect for your late husband, for Col. Laurie was, as you know, in command of the 28th M.I. in the column I commanded in S. Africa, where I learnt to appreciate his value as a soldier and his many other sterling qualities. After the campaign we used to hear from one another on occasions of mutual congratulation and the like. His loss to the Service is a very great one, but one cannot imagine a more glorious ending to a fine career, falling at the head of the regiment he loved so well, and which he led with such skill and bravery. His name remains one held in honour for all time.