Laidlaw House gets its name from the financial founder of the school. It is true that Rev. A.J. Breeden did much of the travelling to garner funds, he also made great efforts to get support from the Lancashire Committee, he was also the founder Principal of the Homes; but without the financial help of Sir Robert Laidlaw the St. George's Homes would not have been possible. This eventuality is recorded in the Homes minutes as follows: 18th November 1915: "The Chairman referred to the serious loss the Homes have suffered by the unexpected death of Sir Robert Laidlaw to whose gift the inception of the Homes was so largely due and who by his princely gifts had rendered conspicuous service to the domiciled community throughout India".
The amount of money the Homes received from Sir Robert Laidlaw's and Lady Laidlaw's Estate is recorded in the Homes minute: On 27th November 1931: "The receipt of a further £9000 from the Laidlaw Bequest was noted. The Chairman announced that the total receipts from the fund now amounted to £78,000". Thereafter, on 30th October 1936 a further £49,130.18sh.10d was received from sale of 11,579 shares in the Central Provinces Manganese Ore Co. Ltd. On 10th June 1959, £274.16sh.4d was received and on 6th November 1959, Rs.3,646.70p was received by the Treasurer.
Not only was Sir Robert Laidlaw's bequest helpful in establishing the Homes, it also helped the Homes to tide over a financial crisis in 1928 when the Homes were on the point of bankruptcy and closing. At the Board meeting of 16th November 1928, it was decided to send this telegram to the Bank holding the Laidlaw securities: CANNOT LAST OVER NEW YEAR WITHOUT REMITTANCE. VERY URGENT. Sir Arthur Knapp was asked to act in the Homes' interest in connection with Sir Robert Laidlaw's legacy and was also asked to attend the funeral of Lady Laidlaw on behalf of the Homes.
From the above it is clear that the Founder of the Homes was NOT just one person but many: the Lancashire Committee formed by the Rev. A.J. Breeden, the Rev. A.J. Breeden himself, the first Board of Management and Sir Robert Laidlaw. With Sir Robert Laidlaw's bequest the Board built the school at Ketti which has always been called The Laidlaw Memorial High School and No name change has taken place. As a matter of fact at a Board of Management meeting on 30th November 1956, one of the items for discussion was: RENAMING THE HOMES, and the minute reads as follows: "In view of the opinion given by King an Partridge, the Board agreed to the adoption of a letter head reading The Laidlaw Memorial School of St. George's Homes for purposes of correspondence with parents and other matters relating solely to the school section".
With the remittances from Sir Robert Laidlaw's bequest, the Homes was also able to loan the government in the U.K. a sum of £45,000 as a War Loan attracting a mere 3¼ per cent. interest. It was only in the late 1980s and early 1990s that we were able to redeem this War Loan with help from M/s. E.I.D. Parry (I) Ltd. whose Managing Director was one of the Trustees at that time.
It is believed that Sir Robert Laidlaw in India ran a string of General Stores called "Laidlaw and Whiteaways"; but this seems only hearsay and we have no solid evidence to back it up. However, Sir Robert Laidlaw's activities as a merchant have given Laidlaw House the emblem of the merchant vessel and the motto: PERSEVERANCE CONQUERS ALL. The House has won the Cock House shield many times since 1983.
