More about Thomas McNair

Son of Mr & Mrs Alexander McNair.

Thomas McNair   1435   4th Black Watch

DUNDEE TERRITORIAL NON-COMS,

ARE KILLED BY BURSTING SHELL.

PLATOON TO MAKE GERMANS PAY DEARLY.

Two lance-corporals of the 4th Black Watch were killed by the bursting of a shell in the trenches on 15th inst.

Mr Alexander M’Nair, 2 Cochrane Street, has received intimation of the death of his son, Lance-Corporal Thomas M’Nair, who was one of the victims.

The sad intelligence is contained in letters received from Captain Ernest Campbell, Second Lieutenant R. C. Cunningham, the Rev. Ronald Irwin, and Sergeant T. Mulgrew, his platoon sergeant, who all bear testimony to the soldier qualities of the deceased.  The sergeant states that Tom and his chum, Lance-Corporal Spalding, were standing together when a shell burst in the trench.  Spalding was killed outright, but Tom lived for about half-an-hour, and died on the way to hospital.  “They are buried together,” he adds, “in a small cemetery not far from here, and their old comrades will see that their graves are properly looked after. No. 5 Platoon wish me to convey to you their sympathy for your sad loss, and they won’t forget, when they come to grips with the Germans, to make them pay dearly.”

Lance-Corporal M’Nair, was 21 years of age, and went out with the 1st Battalion in February.  He had been connected with the Territorials for four years.  A boxmaker to trade, he was employed with Messrs M’Tavish, Ramsay, & Co., joiners, Step Row.  He was a keen gymnast and boxer, and had taken part in a number of important boxing contests.

Dundee Courier 25th September 1915