There are two memorial plaques for Private Laurie at the eastern entrance to the Memorial Park, at the northern entrance to Laurieton. A printed, Perspex covered one is on a metal stand, and has a couple of photos, as Robert as a soldier, with the following transcription:
ROBERT BURNS LAURIE 2347 PRIVATE,
36th INFANTRY BATTALION AIF
"The town of Laurieton originally known as Peach Grove was renamed Laurie Town, then shortened to Laurieton.
"The town was named after Joseph Laurie one of the original settlers and business owner of the area.
"The studio portraits shown are of Robert Laurie, son of Joseph and Jane Laurie of Laurieton, NSW.
"A shop assistant before enlisting in May 1916, Pte Laurie left Australia for England with the 4th Reinforcements in October 1916 and arrived in France for service on the Western Front in March 1917.
"Pte Laurie was severely wounded during the 3rd Divisions attack on Messines Ridge on 10 June 1917 and was evacuated to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Steenwerck, France, where he died two days later from his wounds at the age of 20. He is buried at 297 Trois-Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.
LEST WE FORGET
Next to this sign is a green-painted wrought/cast-iron gate-like structure with white-painted features, with a brown-painted, cast metal plate/shield. There are three brass plaques attached by rivets. The oval top one has the colours of his regiment (white and green, in an enameled oval), and the engraved '36th Batl. 9th Brigade A.I.F'
The middle, rectangular plaque has the following inscription:
'Hail and Farewell
All Honour give
To Those who, Nobly striving, Nobly fell,
That we might Live.'
The bottom brass plaque is shaped somewhat like a 'heavy-weight boxers belt buckle', and is also held in place with four brass rivets. The engraved inscription follows:
In Honoured Memory of
Pte ROBERT BURNS LAURIE
Who died from wounds received at
The Battle of MESSINES, June 12th 1917.
Aged 20 Years & 9 Months.
Interred at "Trois Arbres" FRANCE.
This is directly above the cast: "1914 | 19"
Visited: 1556, Saturday, 19 October, 2019