Private Thomas Armstrong

Private Thomas Armstrong, “C” Coy. 9th ( Service ) Battalion, Black Watch. He was killed in action in France on 25th September 1915, aged 20, on the first day of the Battle of Loos. He had been born in Newcastleton and was the son of William and Martha Armstrong of 2, George Street, Newcastleton and is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Loos, France. His Headstone is inscribed ” He Died That Future Generations Might Live “.  He fell in the fierce fighting to capture Loos village and Hill 70. Casualties from enemy machine guns and rifle fire were very heavy and out of 940 men who started the attack only 98 unwounded men returned to Philosophe on the 26th. 10 Officers and 360 Other Ranks were killed and 11 Officers and 320 Other Ranks were wounded.  Other men who had been mixed up with other units re joined later. The first picture shows Scots troops marching up to the line before the Battle. The second shows an actual attack with the troops advancing through a ghostly cloud of gas and smoke. This day was the first time the British Army had used gas in the War. The third photo shows Loos after its capture and the fourth shows Hill 70.