New Irish Farm Cemetery, Ieper
Killed in action
NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Thursday 24 June
1915
Roll of Honour. Mr F Whistler, Head Master
of St Pauls Elementary School, received news yesterday
of the death at the Front on 12 June of an old pupil,
Private William Laurens, whose mother now resides in
London, and who had enlisted there at the outbreak of
war. Private Laurens was at the time on fatigue duty
and was helping to repair a trench when a bullet passed
through his right arm into his body, death occurring
three minutes afterwards. This is the sixth Old St Pauls
Boy to be killed since war broke out.
NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post
of Thursday 24 June 1915
Roll of Honour. Private William Laurens
formerly of the 2nd Company of the 2nd Battalion London
Regiment was some days ago killed at the front. The
deceased was a member of the staff of Harrods Stores
and on the call for volunteers at once joined the forces.
He was first sent to Malta with his Battalion which
was subsequently recalled and sent to Flanders where,
according to a letter received by a friend of his in
Jersey a couple of days ago written by a comrade, he
was killed while facing the enemy in the trenches. Mr
Laurens when in Jersey was in the employ of Messrs A
de Gruchy & Co and was one of the most popular members
of that firm. He was a member of the St James Church
Choir and also a member of the Jersey Musical Union
band. Much sympathy will we feel sure be felt for the
sorrowing members of his family and his many friends
thus bereaved.
