Stewart Ian (Geordie) Laing
Stuart was my neighbour in Alderside Crescent, Lanchester. I think his family moved there in 1972. I took him into Lanchester village on the day he moved in and I can still remember the conversation although we were then around ten years old. I can also remember his mother chasing me after I jumped over the fence and ran over their leek patch to get my ball back.
We both went to Greencroft Comprehensive school although we did not have classes together although we did do sports together. I can recall him, I and another friend Andrew Johnson talking together - Andrew was killed in April 1986.
I recall discussing joining the army and him telling me about what was required from the parachute regiment.
He left school in June 1978, having done CSEs (I think). I never saw him again.
As can be seen in the photograph he was on the Canberra.
During the battle for Mount Longdon, a lance corporal Murdoch was wounded several times and Stuart broke cover to try to pull him to safety. He was hit three times in the chest and died instantly.
Alan Heath, Lodz, Poland, 21 September 2010.
