Major McLaughlin was the son of Very Rev. Hubert McLaughlin and Hon. Frederica Crofton. He was born in Italy. He married Annie Bromilow, only child of James Bromilow and Ellen Leigh, in 1857 in Hampshire. They had four children.
Annie was born in St Helens, Lancashire, daughter of James and Ellen Bromilow. James was involved in the St Helens Crown Glass Partnership, which devolved eventually into Pilkingtons Glass.
At 1851 Edward was a Boarder at a school in Keynsham, Bristol, he then attended Cheltenham College. He continued his education at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, entering the Army at the age of 17 years 2 months. He obtained his commission in the Royal Artillery in 1854, and took part in the latter stages of the Crimean War. That year the Crimean War virtually ended in November when the besieged Turkish fortress of Kars surrendered to the Russians. None the less Edward was sent to the Crimea in February 1856. Immediately after the Treaty of Paris was signed on March 30 he returned to England. That started his reputation for having the knack of setting off to war only to arrive when the battles were over.
Edward was promoted to Captain in 1862 and a decade later became a Major.
In 1871 Captain McLaughlin, with Annie and 5 year-old son Vivian, were in a Barracks in Exeter.
In 1873 he went to the Royal Artillery College, Woolwich, to study physics, chemistry, matters mathematical and all else needed to prepare a model modern Major-General, the rank with which he retired in 1886.
In 1891 Edward and Annie, plus son Vivian and daughter Georgina, with four Servants were in Stanley Gardens, Kensington.
In 1901 he was still in Kensington, with Annie, a Butler, Cook and 2 House Servants.
He was a Justice of the Peace for Herefordshire, and, for the last ten years of his life, Vice-Chairman of The Royal School for Daughters of Military Officers, at Lansdown, Bath. He held the office of Justice of the Peace. He lived at The Lydiates, Herefordshire, England
A distinguished soldier, he died at Byron Hall in Byron Rd. Annie had died there the year before.
Edward of Byron Hall Worthing, died leaving effects of £1541.14s to George Hall McLaughlin a Major in the H.M. Army.
Edward's brother, Frederick, is also buried in Heene Cemetery.