77690 Driver J Laing, 66th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. The battery deployed to South Africa for the Second Anglo Boer War and joined the Natal Task Force/Ladysmith relief force. They fought at the Battle of Colenso, and were one of the unfortunate batteries taken too close to the enemy and lost 4 guns. One officer and 3 men were killed, 2 officers and 11 men wounded, 2 officers and 24 men being reported missing. For their heroic efforts to recover the guns General Buller in his despatch of 16 Dec 1899 recommended Corporal Nurse for the Victoria Cross and 6 drivers for the distinguished conduct medal. A section of the battery was with Mahon in July 1900, and accompanied General French on the way to Barberton in Sep 1900. Two guns accompanied General Smith-Dorrien from about Wonderfontein to Piet Retief, Jan-Apr 1901. Driver Laing was killed by lightning at Oliphant's Nek, near Rustenburg, about 90km west of Pretoria. He is also commemorated on the Royal Artillery Boer War memorial on the corner of Horse Guards Parade and the Mall, at the north-east corner of St James Park, London, England (see: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/112037).
77690 Driver J Laing, 66th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. The battery deployed to South Africa for the Second Anglo Boer War and joined the Natal Task Force/Ladysmith relief force. They fought at the Battle of Colenso, and were one of the unfortunate batteries taken too close to the enemy and lost 4 guns. One officer and 3 men were killed, 2 officers and 11 men wounded, 2 officers and 24 men being reported missing. For their heroic efforts to recover the guns General Buller in his despatch of 16 Dec 1899 recommended Corporal Nurse for the Victoria Cross and 6 drivers for the distinguished conduct medal. A section of the battery was with Mahon in July 1900, and accompanied General French on the way to Barberton in Sep 1900. Two guns accompanied General Smith-Dorrien from about Wonderfontein to Piet Retief, Jan-Apr 1901. Driver Laing was killed by lightning at Oliphant's Nek, near Rustenburg, about 90km west of Pretoria. He is also commemorated on the Royal Artillery Boer War memorial on the corner of Horse Guards Parade and the Mall, at the north-east corner of St James Park, London, England (see: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/112037).
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