2990 Private
2nd Battalion Royal Scots, 8th Brigade, 3rd Division
Age: 22
Date of Death: 1.3.15
Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 11
Family history: Son of William & Margaret Tait, Panacre Place, Bo’ness. His mother had died by the time of his enlistment. He had two brothers, John and Joseph, and a sister Margaret. He was unmarried and prior to enlisting he was employed as a dock labourer at Bo’ness Docks.
He enlisted on 13 August 1914, joining the Royal Scots, 3rd Special Reserve Battalion, and was then posted to the 2nd Battalion arriving in France on 28 November 1914 and joined the Battalion in the field as part of a draft of replacements. He saw action with the Battalion during the attack at Maedelstede Farm, Wytschaete, on 14 December 1914, and would have known James McFarlane, also 2nd Battalion, from Bo’ness.
The action leading to his death
The Battalion was in the line near Vierstraat and on the evening of 28 February/1March during a full moon, the Battalion was attempting a relief when it was caught by heavy enemy rifle fire 70 yards behind their own line. One Officer was killed going to the aid of a wounded man, and two Other Ranks were killed and nine wounded.
(Linesman Map)
In a letter to his father, David’s Company Commander wrote: ‘It is with regret that I have to inform you that your son was killed by a bullet through the brain on the morning of the second inst. While doing his duty as a sentry in the trenches…’
Medals
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal
