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24/213, Sergeant |
Sergeant
Laurent was born at Tarata, Taranaki, New Zealand, on 15 April 1895, and
was 23 years old when the action for which he was awarded The Victoria
Cross took place.
The citation from the London Gazette dated 15 November 1918 reads:
"With a party of 12 he located the enemy's support line very strongly held, and at once charged the position, followed by his men, and completely disorganised the enemy by his sudden onslaught.
In the subsequent hand-to-hand fighting which ensured, he showed great resourcefulness in controlling and encouraging his men. Thirty of the enemy were killed and the remainder surrendered, a total of one officer and 111 other ranks in all.
The success of this venture, which caused his party four casualties only, was due to his gallantry and enterprise."
He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died at Hastings, New Zealand, on 9 December 1987, and his Ashes are interred in the Memorial Wall at the Servicemen's Cemetery, Hawera, New Zealand.
His Victoria Cross is held at the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand.
The medals awarded to Sergeant Laurent are:
Harry Laurent's Medals
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