Born in Tarata, Laurent was a grocer's assistant when he volunteered in May 1915 to serve in the First World War with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF).

Discharged from the NZEF, he returned to civilian life but was recalled to active duty during the Second World War and was involved in the Home Guard.

Leading a patrol on 12 September in the area east of Gouzeaucourt Wood, France, Laurent was ordered to locate and regain contact with the German front lines.

[9] His VC was gazetted on 12 November 1918,[1] and the citation read: For most conspicuous bravery, skill, and enterprise when during an attack he was detailed to exploit an initial success and keep in touch with the enemy.

In the subsequent hand-to-hand fighting which ensued he showed great resourcefulness in controlling and encouraging his men, and thirty of the enemy having been killed, the remainder surrendered, a total of one officer and 111 other ranks in all.

The success of this daring venture, which caused his party four casualties only, was due to his gallantry and enterpriseLaurent was sent to England in October 1918, where he attended an officer training school.

[3] He, together with three other New Zealanders who had been awarded the VC,[Note 1] received his medal from King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 27 February 1919.

[3] In October 1919, he was part of the welcoming party when fellow VC recipient and Hāwera resident John Grant returned home.

[12] Discharged from the NZEF and placed on the Reserve of Officers,[3] Laurent settled into life in Hāwera and soon found employment at a grocery store.

[13] In 1937, Laurent, along with several other VC recipients, was awarded the coronation medal to commemorate the ascension of King George VI to the British throne.

On 16 February 2008, New Zealand Police announced all the medals had been recovered as a result of a NZ$300,000 reward offered by Michael Ashcroft and Tom Sturgess.