| Rank | Trooper |
| Service # | 112079 |
| Unit # | 2nd Divisional Cavalry, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles |
| 24th Reg. | Yes |
| Resident | Blenheim |
Regimental number: 112079, Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 5315-23, Item: 506385, PDF: B5315-S023. Date of Birth: 23/08/1893 at Blenheim, ON.The son of Captain. and Mrs. Archibald Laird Sr., the brother of Cadet Thomas Stewart Laird. Harry had been a member of the 24th Kent Regiment prior to his enlistment in the ‘Active Service’. A single farmer.
Harry enlisted 15 January, 1915 at London, ON.
Trooper D. Harry Laird was a member of the 24th Kent Regiment. He sailed for England 9/06/1915. While he was training in England training with the 2nd Divisional Cavalry he was hospitalized at a field hospital from 1/09/15 to 11/10/15.
Trooper D. Harry Laird went to England with the 2nd Divisional Cavalry in June 1915, and crossed to France with the 4th C.M.R. in October 1915. After his basic training in England he sailed for France 13/01/16 arriving in France on the 24th of January. Harry was reported Missing In Action 2/06/16 (WIA at St. Menin) and officially reported a POW confined at Stendal and Wohn 17/07/17. He would be repatriated to England and admitted to 1st London General Hospital for treatment to his wounds to his right hand and left leg. He spent the winter and following spring in the Ypres salient, and was wounded and taken prisoner June 2nd, 1916. He spent four months in German Hospitals, three and a half months at Juluh in Rhineland, Prussia, one month in prison camp at Stendal, one month in an old fortress at Rostatt. He passed for exchange and entered Switzerland December 15th, 1916 and was interned at Murren, Switzerland, for nine months. He again passed the board, reaching England in September 1917, and Canada in November 1917.
After treatment for his wounds he was transferred to Bear Wood, Wokinghan, Berks, UK. 14/09/1917. He would be invalided to Canada as “Medically Unfit for Service”. Harry sailed to Canada aboard the H. S. Araguay departing Liverpool 17/10/17. From Halifax he was transported to the Military Hospital at London, ON
His had and his 5 shrapnel wound to his leg leg were treated. He was declared permanently incapacity. He would finally be discharged as medically unfit for service due to wounds 26/01/1918.
Trooper D. Harry Laird received his discharge in February 1918, being unfit for further military service due to a paralyzed leg and other wounds.
Donald Harry Laird passed away 3 May, 1969.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Wounded | , , , ill |
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (15-01-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (16-02-1915), Blenheim News Tribune (11-09-1915), Blenheim News Tribune (22-09-1915), Blenheim News Tribune (13-10-1915), Blenheim News Tribune (10-11-1915), Blenheim News Tribune (26-01-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (12-04-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (03-05-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (05-07-1916) |
| Height | 5'11" |
| Eye Colour | Hazel |
| Age | 21 |
| Complexion | Medium |
| Hair | Brown |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | Blenheim, Ontario |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Marital Status | Single |
| When Enlisted | January 1915 |
| Where Enlisted | London, Ontario |
| Next of Kin | Parents- Mr. & Mrs. Archibald Laird, Sr., Blenheim. Brother- Captain Archibald Forbes Laird, Cadet Thomas Stewart Laird. |
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