| Laing | John | | Captain | LAING, JOHN STEWART, Captain, was born in Portpatrick, Scotland on 29 January 1868. At fifteen he went to sea for three years as an apprentice sailor; lived for a period in Brazil and Argentina, settling in South Africa in 1889. He went on active service on 1 October 1899, as a trooper in the Natal Carabineers; served with that regiment for a year and a half, and was then given a troop in the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles. He was three times mentioned in Despatches for his services in South Africa; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "John Laing, Captain, Johannesburg Mounted Rifles. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa".He married, in 1901, Agnes Augusta, daughter of William O'Mash, of Oxford. They had one daughter, Sheila Agnes Laing, born 14 Nov 04. Post Boer War travel information:To the ticket issuing clerk, Natal Government Railways, Durban Station. I hereby certify that the bearer, John Laing, was resident in the Transvaal prior to the commencement of hostilities and left on 16 September 1899 on account of the war and he now wishes to return to his home in Johannesburg. As he is in destitute circumstances, and a discharged volunteer, I recommend that a free ticket be issued to him. Signed Lieutenant W Brayshaw. .As a discharged irregular of over 12 months service with a good conduct discharge, he is entitled to a free warrant which has not yet come forward from Cape Town. Signed Lieutenant W Brayshaw. He was employed in the South African Railways and Harbours as an engineer and served with the Wits Rifles (later the 10th Infantry) between the wars. During the Great War he served in South West Africa in the SAEC field engineer with the Northern Force (Temp Capt). He also served in East Africa with an Engineer Detachment. (Temp Capt). Slightly wounded Malangati 24 Jul 16. He caught malaria in early 1916 and was eventually invalided on 19th June 1917. He was admitted to the Mental Hospital at Westkoppies, Pretoria, on 3 April 1917. On 12 April 1917, the Superintendent granted a “Reception Order” for his detention. On 25 June 1917 he was declared to be of unsound mind and his wife was given permission to administer his estate and be sole guardian of their daughter. He died on 2 December 1918. There were two death notices, one signed by the Physician Superintendent at the hospital where John died and dated 3 December 1918 (the day after his death), and the other signed by John's wife, dated 13 December 1918. There is a copy of his Will in which he left everything to his wife and on her death, to his daughter. He appointed his wife, Agnes Augusta Laing (born O'Mash) and Reginald Tomlinson of Pietermaritzburg, Natal, to be the executors of his Will. At the time of his death, his assets included property in Illovo, Johannesburg (£1000), furniture (£196), 1300 shares in Auckland Park Sporting Club (£1,235), 25 shares in the National Bank of SA Ltd (£287), life policy (£500), and Royal Exchange insurance (£535).
DSO, QSA (3) DofL Trans LN (777 Tpr Natal Carb), KSA (2) (Capt DSO JMR), 1914-15 Star (Capt SAEC), BWM, Victory Medal (Capt). Spink 1999. Regimental Rifle Association Shooting Medal, S.A.R.E. (South African Railway Engineers) silver, reverse engraved, "1911-12 G M's SHIELD won by no 5 Coy Capt. J.S. Laing, D.S.O.' (acquired while employed with the South African Railways and Harbours).
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Johannesburg Mounted Rifles |
