2nd Lieut James Courtney Laughlin

• Age: 25
• From: Belfast
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.19

2^nd Lieutenant James Courtney LAUGHLIN, 20^th Battalion, KLR.

James Courtney was born on 07th February 1891 in Belfast, the son of Robert Gardiner Laughlin(one time President of the Belfast Wholesale Merchant's Association) and his wife Annie Isabella (nee Myers) who were married on the 10th April 1878 at the Independent Church, Donegall Street, Belfast. Robert was an Assistant of 13 Shire? Street, father Hugh, a farmer, whilst Annie Bella was of 68 Fleet St, father John William, a rigger.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 26 Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast. His father Robert Gardiner aged 51 is a shop manager who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. His wife Annie Bella is aged 41, and was born in England. Robert Gardiner aged 21 is a tailor’s salesman, William George aged 20 is a book-keeper, Elizabeth aged 18 with no occupation listed, John Myers aged 15 is a draper’s apprentice, Henry Edwin is aged 11, James Courtney aged 10, Charles Wesley aged 6, Herbert Ernest aged 5 and Albert Victor aged 3. All of their children were born in Belfast City.      

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 131 University Street, Belfast. The father Robert Gardiner is now aged 61 and a hardware merchant, his wife Annie Bella is aged 51 and no occupation listed. They have several children still living with them, Elizabeth aged 28, John Myers aged 25 is a gent’s outfitter, Henry Edwin aged 21 is a traveller, James Courtney aged 20, is an apprentice draper, Charles Wesley is aged 16, Herbert Ernest aged 15 and Albert Victor aged 13, Sidney Howard is aged 8 and Howard Wilson is aged 7. His parents advised that they had been married for 32 years and had fifteen children of which four had died; Hugh Alex, Arthur Frederick, Samuel and another unnamed child who all died between 1887 and 1900.The family were Congregationalists. 

James applied for a commission in March 1915 and in his application stated he was a cadet in the Officer Training Corps of Queen’s University Belfast and had spent eight years in the Church Lads Brigade attaining the rank of Captain. The London Gazette shows that he was commissioned on 13^th May 1915. His medal card shows that he served in France from 16^th April 1916 and joined the 20^th Battalion on the 18^th April 1916.

He was killed in action on 01^st July 1916 with No 2 Company, he was 25 years old.  

20^th Battalion Diary

Maricourt

Zero Hour 7.30am.  After 65 minutes intensive bombardment the Battalion advanced to the attack of the German trenches. The Battalion advanced in four lines each of the two leading Companies on a frontage of 2 platoons – No’s 1 & 2 Companies (in that order from the right) leading. No.3 Company in the 3^rd wave. No.4 Company in the 4^th wave. There being a distance of about 100 yards between each line. The lines advanced through the enemy’s artillery fire as though on parade in quick time. The leading waves went on without a pause to Alt Trench and Casement Trench which were secured at (time not stated) am. The casualties up to this being small. Our barrage lifting Dublin Trench (the 1^st Objective) was captured and consolidation immediately proceeded with. Captain Whiting with the 3^rd wave entrenching about 150 yards in the rear. Captain Robinson was wounded and No.2 Company was commanded during the day by Lt C P Moore. Casualties up to now were killed 2 officers – 1 wounded and 49 other ranks casualties killed and wounded. At 11.50 am orders were received for the assault of the Briqueterie. The Battalion operation orders for this were issued from NW of Germans Wood. Our barrage lifted at 12,30 pm and No. 4 Company under Captain E C Orford assisted by a section of bombers under 2^nd Lt Baker who went up Nord Alley and Chimney Trench to secure his left flank, who had got right forward under cover of the fire of our guns rushed it almost without opposition. On the far side a party of the enemy were found in deep dug-outs. They brough a machine gun into action and some close fighting ensued in which Lt Gooch and Lt Williams were wounded. Opposition was however speedily overcome and the garrison consisting of the H.Q. of a Regt, one Colonel and 4 other officers – 40 rank and file , 2 machine guns together with maps, orders, documents and material fell into our hands. Steps were immediately taken for consolidating the ground won, which however owing to the destruction wrought by our “heavies” was a matter of great difficulty, what had been trenches being almost unrecognisable as such and the earth so pulverised that cover could only be made by aid of sandbags. The garrison was heavily shelled through the afternoon and most of the night and casualties were many. Battalion H.Q. were at the junction of Glatz Alley and Casement Trench north west of Germans Wood and this together with Dublin Trench received considerable attention from enemy guns. Casualties during the day 2 officers killed (2^nd Lts F Barnes and JC Laughlin) and 3 wounded (Captain H H Robinson, Lt S Gooch and 2^nd Lt F J Williams). 75 other ranks killed and wounded. 

James now rests at Cerisy Gailly Military Cemetery in France at II L 19.   

James is also commemorated on the war memorial at Queens University, Belfast.

Soldiers Effects to father Robert Gardiner, no Pension record found. 

Probate for James was to his father, his estate valued at £458, 83 and 3d. 

His father Robert died 05th May 1931 in Belfast.

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