Popular teenager’s death left company comrades devastated
A Bridge of Allan soldier was killed instantly when he was hit by shrapnel during a period of heavy shelling while serving in the trenches in France.
Driver Laurence Allan was attached to the Motor Transport Section when he suffered fatal injuries on January 29, 1917.
Information concerning his death was sent to his parents, Mr and Mrs Robert Allan, Allanbank Buildings, Bridge of Allan.
The 19-year-old, who previously worked at Grampain Motors, Causewayhead, enlisted in October 1915, and had not been home since the day he joined the colours.
In a poignant letter to Driver Allan’s parents, his company sergeant, J Stewart, told how the teenager was sitting on his lorry in an area under heavy bombardment when he was killed. Sgt Stewart said the company were devastated by the loss of ‘Law’, as he was known.
“He was loved by every one of us,” he added. “He was without doubt one of the best boys I have ever had under me: a kind goodhearted and willing lad.
“It seems terrible that such a precious young life should be taken away so suddenly. He suffered no pain whatever, I can assure you of that for a piece of shrapnel caught him in the head and death was instantaneous.”
Driver Allan was buried in a “soldier’s grave” with several of his comrades in attendance.
The sergeant added: “I just wish to say that the deepest sympathy of every one of us goes out to you in the terrible loss.”
News also reached Stirling of the death of Sgt Duncan McInnes, Army Veterinary Corp, who was eldest son of Mr JWM McInnes, Schoolhouse, Whins of Milton. He died in Salonica on January 28, 1917, while on active service.
The 20-year-old joined the AVC shortly after the outbreak of war. He was, said the Observer, suited to the work as he had plenty of experience in the practical and theoretical side of farmwork.
He studied at the Technical College of Agriculture where he gained two bursaries. Before the war, he was working with his uncle, Mr Mains, farmer, Sauchenford, Bannockburn.