The Great War: Vimy Ridge
George Van Wyck Laughton, M.C.

"He displayed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty and by his splendid example and lack of interest in his own welfare, encouraged his men to remarkable achievements.  "He led a bombing squad against a machine gun which was holding up the attack and, after the bombers we all killed, captured the gun single handed and destroyed its crew.  After all the officers had been killed or wounded he assumed command of the fallen battalion for the remaining days and held the position unaided against repeated German counter-attacks".

The second clipping  is a copy of the original notice that appeared in the Free Press (still known today as the "London Free Press") shortly after the award of the MC at the Ontario Legislature in 1918.

Note: Information received in April 2006 shows that the actual decoration date was November 29, 1917 (see Chris Baker attachments), so this may have been ceremonial.

The records show that George Van Wyck Laughton also held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the battalion at one time, unfortunately as he was the only one left.  I am looking for additional details on this aspect of the records.

Google Newspapers - Toronto World Link

As stated on the web site for Veterans Affairs Canada:

The Military Cross can be awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below (therefore acting and temporary Majors are eligible) or Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious services in battle. In 1920, the terms were altered to clearly state the award was for gallant and distinguished services in action and that naval and air force officers could be awarded the cross for gallant and distinguished services on the ground.

To be concealed behind German Lines and remain food less for five days and nights was the recent experience of G. V. Laughton, Northumberland Fusiliers.  Mr. Laughton was on night patrol with a sergeant, and eventually found himself behind the German front line and unable to get back to his own unit.  The sergeant was killed by a shell, and the officer had perforce to remain hidden for five days and nights without food.
At the end of the period the British captured the enemy position, and Lieut. Laughton was found unconscious as a result of his privations.  The features of this case have aroused great interest in medical circles.  Mr. Laughton has been granted extended furlough to Canada.

(see MIA notice below that may related to this period of officer missing).

Sec. Lieut. George Van Wyck Laughton, Northumberland Fus.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  During 24 hours he was on a picquet  in front of our own lines and conducted a daylight patrol to within 50 yards of the enemy trenches.  Throughout he displayed the greatest courage and determination during local operations in the Scarpe Valley in March, 1917.

I have some confusion now as I have learnt (November 3, 2002) that this is the exact wording that is in the St. George's Gazette of July 31, 1917, for which is says that 2nd-Lieut George Van Wyck Laughton was awarded the Military Cross.  This conflicts with the records in my possession that say this event "is not the MC but another little clover leaf on ribbons".  The records in Canada show that the MC was for the raid on the machine gun on April 9, 1917 whereas the event in the St. George's Gazette took place in March of 1917. 

Forum Post: 13 March 1916

There is evidence to suggest that this report relates to an action that is unrelated to the Military Cross. There were reports of this story in the family archives of his son Paul Laughton, which specifically referred to George turning around to talk to his Sergeant and he "was gone". If I recall correctly, this was post-Arras and took place after the units moved back to Passchendaele.

The stories report that Grandfather Laughton received wounds to his leg and abdomen and that the doctors could not believe that he survived in this condition while buried for 5 days in the mud. The story continues to WWII when Grandfather Laughton went to enlist again and appeared for his medical examination before the same doctor who saw him after his WWI wounds. The doctor reportedly stated something along the lines of "Laughton - what are you doing here - you are dead!"

A blood clot from these WWI wounds broke loose shortly after an brain aneurysm operation in June of 1966, which claimed the life of Grandfather Laughton. Apparently the clot was freed by the anticoagulants and migrated to his brain.

The web site for the "British Army in the Great War" states the following:

Many of the men and women who were invalided out of the army after a wound or sickness that led to a medical down-grading were awarded this badge. It was authorized in September 1916, and applied to people in this category whether they were at a theatre of war or at home. They were individually numbered, on the reverse side. Index cards for the Silver War Badge are part of the Medal Rolls, and give a certain amount of vital information about the recipient.

The back of the badge is stamped with "B45828", the "B" designating is was awarded for service in the BEF.  Had it been for the CEF it would have had the letter "C".