<P> The First World War broke out while Lauder was visiting Australia . During the First World War Lauder promoted recruitment into the services and starred in many concerts for troops at home and on the western front: he led successful charity fundraising efforts, organised a recruitment tour of music halls, and entertained troops in France with a piano . Through his efforts in organising concerts and fundraising appeals he established the charity, the Harry Lauder Million Pound Fund, for maimed Scottish soldiers and sailors to help servicemen return to health and civilian life, and for these many services he was knighted in May 1919 . </P> <P> Campaigning for the war effort, in 1915 he wrote "I know that I am voicing the sentiment of thousands and thousands of people when I say that we must retaliate in every possible way regardless of cost . If these German savages want savagery, let them have it". </P> <P> His only son John, who had been educated at the City of London School followed by a degree from Jesus College, Cambridge University, became a Captain in the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders . He was killed in action on 28 December 1916 at Pozières . Nonetheless, with his wife's encouragement Lauder returned to the stage three days after learning of John's death . He wrote the song "The End of the Road" (published as a collaboration with the American William Dillon, 1924) in the wake of John's death, and built a monument for him in the private Lauder cemetery in Glenbranter . (John Lauder was buried in the war cemetery at Ovillers, France). Winston Churchill wrote that Lauder, "...by his inspiring songs and valiant life, rendered measureless service to the Scottish race and to the British Empire ." </P> <P> Lady Lauder died on 31 July 1927, at 54, a week after an operation . She was buried next to John's memorial in the private Lauder cemetery on his 14,000 acre Glenbranter estate in Argyll, where her parents would later join her . Lauder's niece, Margaret (1900--1966), subsequently became his secretary and companion until his death . </P>

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