Today marks the 92nd anniversary of the death of Private Thomas Spence of the 1/7 Black Watch. He died of wounds, as a POW, after suffering through one of the most horrendous bombardments in history.
He died with his kilt on, and I wore mine today while out and about so that I could briefly relate the story of his passing to anyone who asked why I was wearing a kilt.
He had no wife or girlfriend. While I was stationed in Germany in 1973 I became the first family member to ever visit his grave in Flesquieres, France. His brother, my grandfather, is now long gone and I am the only one to carry on Tom's memory. He died for all of us, and he, like far too many others, should not be forgotten.
I have raised 3 glasses in his memory tonight. Will you raise another with me?
PS If anyone has easy access to the Black Watch archives, I could use a little bit of assistance in rounding out his military record.