Soldier Record

Thomas McLeod joined the regular army in his youth and was serving with the 1st.Battalion The Royal Scots in India when hostilities commenced in Europe. The battalion sailed home and were on active service in France in December 1914.

The Royal Scots played their part in the 2nd. battle of the Ypres salient in 1915 entrenched on the road from Ypres to Menin. Fortunately Tom escaped with no serious injury. He progressed through the ranks to become sergeant, and for a period was acting Quartermaster Sgt. The battalion left France in 1916, by which time Tom had been transferred to the newly formed Machine Gun Battalion, and was on active service in Salaonika until 1918 when they returned to France.

Tom was discharged from the army in 1919 and proceeded home to marriage and parenthood, a task which he approached with the same calm and collected manner in which I am sure led to his survival during the dark events during wartime. He lived quietly, and did not discuss his war experiences, preferring to keep his memories to himself. He died in January 1968 and left an indelible mark on all of his children and grandchildren.

I am proud to be his namesake.