| Notes |
- !SOURCE: 1. JOHN JOHNSTON FAMILY TREE
2. BENNETT FAMILY TREE
3. INFO FROM BETTY GODFREY AND HELEN ARMSTRONG
!MARRIAGE: ST. COLUMKILLS CATHEDRAL, PEMBROKE, OCT 17 1949(3)
!HOME: LIVES IN PEMBROKE (1)
LAIDLAW, Blair - Proud Veteran RCN WWII, 43 years CPR Life Member Royal Canadian Legion Br. 72 Pembroke - Unexpectedly at the Pembroke Regional Hospital on Monday evening, August 25, 2008 in his 83RD year. Blair Laidlaw of Pembroke, beloved husband of Lois Laidlaw (nee Chaput). Dear father of Teresa (Terri) Saunders ( friend, Dennis) and Rose Laidlaw, both of Pembroke. Loving grandpa to Melody Ballantyne ( husband Rob, currently serving in Afghanistan) of Edmonton and great grandson Cody. Brother of Jean Cameron (late Bob), London ON, Doreen Lee (Roy), Belleville, Betty Godfrey (late Charles), Carleton Place and Helen Armstrong (late John) Aylmer PQ. Son of the late Harold and Esther (nee Morrison) Laidlaw. Respecting Blair's wishes Funeral Services are Private. Interment St. Columba's Cemetery. In memory of Blair, donations to the St. Columbkille's Cathedral Memorial Fund or the Charity of your choice, would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements in Care of the MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, Pembroke. Condolences, tributes, donations www.murphyfuneralhome.ca> 11217688 <http://www.murphyfuneralhome.ca
…Cobden of the Past
One of the flags in Pembroke is commemorating Blair Laidlaw.
George Thomas Blair Laidlaw, son of William Harold Laidlaw and Esther 'Essie' Mary Morrison of Cobden, was born on 26 May 1926 in Merrickville, Ontario. Harold & Essie Laidlaw retired to Cobden (Essie's hometown) and lived across from the Cobden Public School. Essie's mother was a Bennett so needless to say I have been familiar with her family history for many years.
Blair left school at 16 years old to work for The Canadian Pacific Railway. Blair's service with the C.P.R. was disrupted only when he served with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War, (R.C.N.R.V. V-90128). After basic training at Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Pte. Laidlaw served on the Destroyers Ottawa and Restigouch; Castle Corvette H.M.C.S. Bowmanville; Algerine Minesweeper H.M.C.S. Middlesex (he was on this ship when mustard gas and contaminated ammunition from the Halifax Explosion was dumped in the North Atlantic); and on the Frigate H.M.C.S. Toronto. He said the ships he served on were used to accompany the ships across the Atlantic that brought food, medical, ammunition supplies etc., for the troops. Pte. Laidlaw was a gunner in the Navy. He received the Atlantic Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the Victory Medal.
Blair was a very active member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 72 in Pembroke. He was a life member of that branch when he passed away on August 26, 2008 in Pembroke, aged 82, and was buried at St. Columba's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Pembroke. Blair's wife still resides in Pembroke.
Many thanks to Blair's daughter Terri Saunders for providing information and photographs.
Military:
- Basic training HMCS Cornwallis
Telegrapher - St. Hyacinthe
Frigate - Toronto
Corvette - Bowmanville
Mine Sweeper - Middlesex
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1926 - 2008 (82 years)
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