Laurence Edward Fry (Laurie) was born in London, England on October 12th 1897 near where his father Ernest Fry worked in a hardware store owned by his grandfather James Fry in Acre Lane Brixton. In 1905 Ernest and his family emigrated to Canada and Ernest started farming near the village of Tees in Alberta. Laurie was one of the first pupils at the newly built Rutherford school and then worked on his father’s farm.

On March 28th 1916 Laurie enlisted in the army at Lacombe, Alberta and joined the 151st Battalion. In October 1916 the battalion sailed for England and Laurie arrived at Shorncliffe barracks on October 13th 1916 and was immediately transferred to the 11th Reserve Battalion. On the November 14th he was transferred to the 78th Battalion and arrived in France the following day. He remained in France with the 78th Battalion until his death at the Battle of Amiens in 1918.

The Battle of Amiens commenced on August 8th 1918. On or about August 11th during heavy fighting at the village of Hallu, Laurie was mortally wounded. He was transported to the hospital at Rouen, arriving there about the 15th of August. He died two days later. He is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery which lies about 3 kilomtres south of the Rouen Cathedral.

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