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St Clair Laing
Bank: Ulster Bank
Place of work: Edenderry branch
Died: 2 April 1917
St Clair King Nixon Laing was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in about 1875. He worked for Ulster Bank, and by 1915 was cashier at the bank's Edenderry branch.
In November 1915 Laing volunteered for the army, and was posted to the Western Front. He was wounded in action and invalided home, but returned to active duty after making a good recovery. By 1917 he was a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He died of pneumonia, contracted in the trenches, at a casualty clearing station in France on 2 April 1917. He was 42 years old.
His obituary in Ulster Bank's staff magazine recalled 'He had the distinction of being our most senior volunteer - having passed away in his 43rd year - and his action in joining the colours was undertaken in no light-hearted spirit of adventure, but was prompted by motives of the highest patriotism. He was one of the most popular members of our staff and his loss will be mourned by a wide circle of friends, while his name will occupy a high place on the honourable roll of those who have made the great sacrifice and whose memories we shall always cherish with feelings of the utmost affection and pride.'
St Clair Laing is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the First World War and its memorial for those who fell.
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Messages of remembrance
David Taggart July 30 2014 11:22PM
I am St Clair Laing's grand-nephew. He was the first of about 11 members of my family who served in the Ulster Bank. I've visited his grave several times and prayed knowing that it was unlikely any of his family had the privilege of doing so. We do not have a photograph of St Clair. If the Bank have one we would be very grateful. There is a large shield memorial to his memory in the Presbyterian Church in Ballina placed my his mother.
NatWest Group Remembers team July 31 2014 8:17AM
David, thank you for your message. I'm afraid we don't have a photograph of St Clair Laing either. I've contacted you separately to ask whether you would like a copy of his obituary notice from the staff magazine, which we'd be pleased to provide.
Brian Mckay November 11 2016 11:58AM
On this day of remembrance I came upon David Taggart's post .There is a picture of St Clair on the following site ourheros.southdublinlibraries.ie/nods/1703 The History Hub Ulster also have a large archive of photographs of the fallen .