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4639 Private Thomas Douglas of
Midlothian, served in the Great War in DS Company, 8th Battalion the
Royal Scots. Born in Tranent, he was the foster son of Joseph and
Isabella Douglas, 23 The Square, Newtongrange.
He was killed in
France on 24th February 1915, and buried at Sailly-Sur-La-Lys
Churchyard, France . He is remembered at Newbattle Parish Church and
Newbattle United Free Church in Newtongrange .
Dalkeith Advertiser, 4th March 1915:
The sad intelligence has
been conveyed to Mrs Douglas, 23 The Square, that her son, Thomas, who
was barely 19 years of age, has been shot in action in France.
A
touching letter has been sent to Mrs Douglas by Lieut. J S Pringle, in
the course of which he writes:
"Your son Thomas, was shot
on Tuesday evening about 5pm, and died in hospital this (24th ult.)
morning at 7.45 am. He was hit in the head by a bullet while he was
at his post in the trenches. He suffered no pain, and he was unconscious
from the moment he was hit until he died, the bullet having entered
his brain. Poor fellow, I feel, and all the company feel, his loss very
much, he was always so ready to do his duty and always so cheerful over
it.
At the moment he was struck he was singing a song. It is men such
as he was that makes us feel certain of victory, but makes us feel the
price those at home have to pay for it. I feel very much for you, and
you have my deepest sympathy in your loss. From what I know of the boy
as a soldier, I feel sure he must have been a very dear son to you.
He is to be buried at Sailly by a Protestant clergyman, and two of his
chums have been granted leave to attend the funeral.
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