| Regimental number | 8/3938 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Isla Bank, Southland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Sawmiller |
| Marital status | Single |
| Height | 5' 5.25" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, J. Laidlaw, Isla Bank, Southland |
| Previous military service | Served in 8th (Southland) Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 10th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Regiment, D Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The Infantry component of the 10th Reinforcements left New Zealand on board two ships, 'Willochra' and 'Tofua'. It is not possible to determine from the Nominal Roll on which ship an individual embarked. Harbour records indicate that the actual date of sailing was 5 March 1916. | |
| Final rank | Private |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 20 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Caterpillar Valley (NZ) Memorial, France |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Hannah Laidlaw, Otautau, Southland, & the late John Laidlaw |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Wellington, 4 March 1916; disembarked Suez, 10 April 1916. Embarked Port Said for France, 13 April 1916. Marched in to Base Depot, Etaples, 24 April 1916; joined 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, in the field, 25 May 1916, and posted to 8th Company. Admitted to No 2 NZ Field Ambulance, 29 July 1916 (influenza); transferred to NZ Divisional Rest Station, 30 July 1916; rejoined Bn, 11 August 1916. Reported wounded in action, 15 September 1916. Court of Enquiry declared fate to be 'Killed in action, 15 September 1916'. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 26, p. 18 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805 |