Born at Hampton in Melbourne to William Spalding Laurie and Minnie Mabel Monica, née Root, he grew up near his father's medical practice in Camberwell and attended Scotch College, of which he was captain (1930).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 1 June 1942, having served in the militia for much of the previous year, and embarked as part of an anti-aircraft unit in August bound for Milne Bay.
[1] Laurie was promoted lieutenant in March 1943, and was granted leave from the army to contest the 1943 federal election, standing as a Communist against Robert Menzies in Kooyong.
[1] Laurie had established a successful law practice by this time, although his application to take silk in 1962 was blocked on political grounds.
He left the party in 1965, but remained active in left-wing causes, supporting conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War and Aboriginal land rights.