Dunn, Thomas Semple 200763 (1896 - 1916)

Private, 5th Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Buried at Thiepval Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Thomas Semple Dunn was the third son of Mrs. Dunn, 461 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. He received all his education in Hillhead High School, where the memory of his high abilities, sunny disposition, and high moral sense are still fresh and fragrant. During his School days he was not over-robust, and took little direct part in the School games, but he was no mere book-worm, and his joy and zest in life was as keen as that of the strongest.

On leaving School he entered the office of Messrs. Wilson, Stirling & Co., chartered accountants, as an apprentice. There he displayed the same high qualities as at School, and won for himself the confidence of his employers and the hearty goodwill of his fellow-workers. "Grim visaged war" made no appeal to his refined and gentle nature, but the call of duty over-weighed all other considerations, and though still under age he joined the Scottish Rifles in October, 1914.

He was urged to take a commission, but he thought he would be more fitted for such a post after a spell in the trenches in France. That was quite characteristic of Tom Dunn, with his high sense of duty and his extreme thoroughness.

During an attack on the German lines on the 29th October, 1916, he was reported" missing," and for months his widowed mother had to endure an agony of suspense as to his fate. Ultimately news came that his body had been found and reverently buried in a small cemetery behind the firing line.

Thus passed another of our young heroes into the silent land.