tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25961971419306905322024-02-08T10:39:37.280-08:00CEF WW1 Soldier George LaughtonCanadian Expeditionary Force Study Group (CEFSG)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17329984815391890454noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596197141930690532.post-82271725036290652052007-02-24T12:44:00.000-08:002007-02-27T13:18:44.786-08:002nd Lt. George Van Wyck Laughton, M.C.The web site summarizes my research on the Great War (1914 - 1918) as seen by 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> Lt. George Van <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wyck</span></span> Laughton, M.C., primarily as it applies to the Battle of Arras. This includes the famous capture of <b><a href="http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=history/firstwar/vimy/vimy3" target="_blank"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Vimy</span></span> Ridge</a></b> (<i>as it is more often referred to in Canadian history</i>), which is known historically as the First Battle of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Scarpe</span></span> (April 9 - 14, 1917). The subsequent Capture of <b><a href="http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=history/firstwar/canada/Canada11" target="_blank">Hill 70</a></b> is historically referred to as the Second Battle of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Scarpe</span></span> (April 23 - 28, 1917). The Third Battle of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Scarpe</span></span> (May 3 - 4, 1917) historically marks the capture of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Fresnoy</span></span> by the 1st Canadian Division, in concert with the British 3rd Army.<br /><br /><strong>Regimental Number 82130</strong><br />June 1911 - June 1914: 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Middlesex</span></span> Regiment<br />December 1915: 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span></span> Regiment Canadian Fusiliers<br />1915: 142<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">nd</span></span> Canadian Overseas Battalion<br />1916: 32<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">nd</span></span> Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force<br />1917: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">BEF</span></span> 3rd Army, 34<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span></span> Division 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">th</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Northumberland</span></span> Fusiliers<br /><br />This photograph of G. V. Laughton appears to have been taken outside the Ontario Legislature Building in Toronto, Ontario, at the time he was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Vimy</span> Ridge. The statement on award of the MC was as follows:<br /><br /><em>"He displayed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty and by his splendid example and lack of interest in his own welfare, encouraged his men to remarkable achievements. "He led a bombing squad against a machine gun which was holding up the attack and, after the bombers we all killed, captured the gun single handed and destroyed its crew. After all the officers had been killed or wounded he assumed command of the fallen battalion for the remaining days and held the position unaided against repeated German counter-attacks".<br /></em><br />Please continue to:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.censol.ca/research/greatwar/"><strong>Web Site of George Van <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Wyck</span></span> Laughton, M.C.</strong></a><br /><br /><br /></span>Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group (CEFSG)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17329984815391890454noreply@blogger.com0