S/9941 Private
‘B’ Company, 8th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), 26th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division
Age: 29
Date of Death: 8.5.16
Buried: Rifle House Cemetery I.F.5
Family history: Son of William Hannah, Bonnybridge. Husband of Mary C Hannah, 19 East Carron, Falkirk. They had two children. He had been employed for some years as a brakesman by the Caledonia Railway Company and before he enlisted in September 1915 he was employed by the Carron Company. He went to France on 18 December 1915.
The action leading to his death
On the 8 May 1916, the Battalion was in the line at Ploegsteert Wood. They were relieved that evening at 9pm and moved into billets at Creslow Farm. The War Diary records the casualties for the 8 May as one Other Rank killed but there is no mention of the circumstances of how the death occurred.
(Linesman Map)
In a report featured in the Falkirk Herald it states that Thomas, while in the firing line, was accidentally shot and killed by the discharge from a comrades rifle.
Medals Awarded
The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
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