Private Thomas Clark

Private Thomas Clark, “C” Coy., 1st/8th (Territorial) Battalion, Royal Scots. He died from wounds in France, aged 21, on the 9th April 1915. He had been born at Stobhill, Midlothian and was the son of the late John and Mary Clark of Torwoodlee, Galashiels. He was a Member of the Thistle Lodge of Free Gardeners, Penicuik and was employed at Bell House Prestonkirk, East Lothian when he enlisted going to France in December 1914. This Unit was the first Scottish Territorial Battalion to reach France. The Battalion did not take an active part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 but was confined to standing fast in front line trenches where many casualties were caused by shelling. Privat Clark was one of the wounded and had a leg amputated in the 3rd Stationary Hospital in Rouen where he later died. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. 8th Royal Scots was the designated Pioneer Battalion in the 51st (Highland) Division and after the War an impressive Memorial was raised in commemoration. It was erected in Newfoundland Park on the Somme where a plaque on the Memorial readsin both English and Gaelic “Friends Are Good On The Day Of Battle”.