Captain, CAMC (previously with RAMC) MC. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 5315, Item: 506371, PDF: 53315-S009. At the time of his enlistment he was living in Winnipeg, MB. working at the Winnipeg General Hospital.

Born at Blenheim, Ont., 13/11/ 890, son of Archibald and Anna (Forbes) Laird. The brother of  Donald Harry, Blenheim, Thomas, Calgary and half brother Dr.Geo. Fletcher of Victoria, BC and half-sister, Mrs. H.A.C. Howes of Chicago.

Married Sarah ‘Sadie’ (nee Robinson), 1919. The father of Jean 

Captain Archibald Forbes Laird attended the O.T.C. London, Ontario during 1915.

Captain Archibald Forbes Laird joined the R.A.M.C. in November 1915, going direct to England and proceeding to France in January 1916, in charge of a transport unit. He served as Medical officer for two years with the 5th South Lancashires receiving wounds July 31st, 1917, when he also was awarded the Military Cross. He was invalided to Canada in December 1917, transferring here to the Canadian Army Service Corps in March 1918, and was appointed on a Medical Board, London.

Lieut. Laird  was TOS. With the CAMC 30/09/1915  and Transferred to R.A.M.C. in October,  1915 he to France with the R.A.M.C., in December attached to the Fifth South Lancashire Battalion, 55th division; continuous service until Dec., 1917. Mentioned in dispatches on the Somme; awarded Military Cross at Paschendaele; invalided to Canada, 1917; Medical Board, London, discharged. It was reported that he had suffered a GSW to his left wrist while serving with the RAMC as well as pleurisy while in the British force between November 1915 to 23/11/1917 when he was invalided to Canada.

Post-graduate work at Chicago; Winnipeg General Hospital eight months; post-grad. work with Dr. Mayo’s Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Joined Yorkton Clinic, Nov. 1st; specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat. Member of the Rotary Club. Curling Club. Address, Yorkton Clinic.  

F. Laird received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native province and in due time was graduated from high school. His boyhood ambition was to become a physician and surgeon and subsequently he enrolled in Western University, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1913. Shortly after graduation he was called into the service of his country in the World war and did not begin the practice of his profession until the close of that conflict, in which he served in the Royal Medical Corps. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917, for conspicuous bravery, and was mentioned in dispatches from the Somme front during the year 1916.

Dr. Laird attested in the CAMC. 5/03/18. He was Taken On Strength (TOS) at No.1 Training Depot CAMC. Stationed there from March to June 1918.  

His ‘Medical History Sheet’  reported that on 1/10/19 at hospital in London, ON he was treated for pneumonia. His “Medical Board’ considered him fit for service 12/11/19

On the 1st of November, 1919, Dr. Laird received his honorable discharge and he then located in Winnipeg, where he took postgraduate work for six months, and subsequently in Rochester, Minnesota, and Chicago, Illinois. In the month of October, 1920, he located in Yorkton, where he has continued to reside. To specialize in a particular branch of the medical profession is the usual thing in these days and Dr. Laird has become prominent as an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, and enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice.

    On the 5th of January, 1919, Dr. Laird was married to Miss Sadie Robinson, a native of Ontario. She is prominent in the club and social circles of this community. In his political views Dr. Laird is independent, giving his support to the man he thinks best fitted for the office without regard to party principles. He is an active member of the Rotary Club and the Board of Trade and has been a dominant factor in the promotion of many movements for the development of Yorkton.

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Dr.A.F.Laird Died Suddenly Thursday Morn

Oct.18, 1945

As the result of a sudden heart attack suffered while alone in his office on 9th Street east on Thursday forenoon the death occurred of Dr.Archibald Forbes Laird, well-known Owen Sound, ON., physician and surgeon, and specialist in the diseases of eye, ear, nose, and throat. Dr.Laird was in his usual state of health when he left his home, 995 5th Avenue East, shortly before 8 o’clock in the morning.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards

Military Cross

Sources

Blenheim News Tribune (03-11-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (25-02-1915), Blenheim News Tribune (12-04-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (26-04-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (09-08-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (13-09-1916), Blenheim Freedom Library, In Khaki - Blenheim Enlistment Book, Royal Canadian Legion Br. 185 60th Anniversary Book 1930-1990, LAC-FMF, L.D. Laird email 20/09/17, IODE, BNT, CDP, BFL-Bio. IK,

Height	5'9"
Eye Colour	Grey
Age	26
Complexion	Medium
Hair	Black
Race	White
Birthplace	Blenheim, Ontario
Religion	Presbyterian
Last Place of Employment	Medical Doctor
Average Earnings	Professional
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	January 5th, 1918, Meaford, Ontario.
When Enlisted	November 1915
Where Enlisted	Winnipeg, Man.
Next of Kin	Parents- Mr. & Mrs. Archibald Laird, Sr., Blenheim. Wife- Mrs. A. Laird, Jr. Brother- Trooper Donald Harry Laird, Cadet Thomas Stewart Laird. Sister Jean E. Laird.

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