| Notes |
- Second Lieutenant Tom Edward Brydon, Royal Engineers, who died on 1st February 1917, of wounds received in action near Kut two days previously, was in his 29th year. He was the eldest son of the late Edward Brydon, tea planter, India, and nephew of Sir Henry and Lady Ballantyne, Minden, Peebles, Brought up in Peebles from early boyhood, Lieutenant Brydon was educated at Peebles Burgh and County High School, and at Watson's College, Edinburgh. He then entered the Engineer's Office of the North British Railway Company, where he served his apprenticeship, and for some time afterwards acted as assistant engineer. Of that period the Chief Engineer of the Company writes ? " Mr Brydon joined the engineering staff of the North British Railway as an apprentice
engineer on 25th September 1905, and after serving his apprenticeship was re-engaged as a junior assistant engineer until 14th November 1912, when he left this Company's service to take up an engineering appointment in Africa. Mr Brydon was a very capable young engineer, and was held in high esteem by all those with whom he came in contact in a professional capacity. He was also of a very agreeable nature, and was ready at all times to enter whole-heartedly into the social life of the office, in which he was a general favourite." The engineering appointment in Africa referred to was under the Colonial Office on the Uganda Railway, where he had charge of work in the constructing of bridges, roads, and railway lines, which was highly valued by his superiors. Of athletic frame and active temperament, life was happily spent in work and sport, which is reflected in letters and photographs sent home at regular intervals.
Shortly after the outbreak of war, Mr Brydon came home on leave, and after persistent efforts, having obtained the consent of the Colonial Office, received a commission in the Royal Engineers. He entered with enthusiasm upon his training as an officer, as he was keen to become a good soldier. Early in May of 1916 he was sent with a draft to the East, and after a prolonged and trying time of waiting was sent to the front, where he so soon received the wound which proved fatal. His bright and winning nature made him as popular in the Army as he had been in civil life.
From Mesopotamia, on the day of Lieutenant Brydon's death.
Captain H. B. W. Hughes, of the 88th Field Company, Royal Engineers, thus wrote to Sir Henry Ballantyne ? "It was with the deepest regret that I heard that your nephew, Second Lieutenant Tom E. Brydon, died in hospital to-day, as the result of a wound in the stomach received two nights previously. He was most unfortunately hit by a chance Turkish bullet while he was at work with his men on a barbed wire entanglement at about midnight on the 30/3lst. I personally, with all the company, feel his loss very greatly. Not only was he a most cheerful member of the mess, but he was a most hard working and efficient officer whom it will be hard to replace. Our work during the last two months has frequently necessitated working all through the night, and I have always found that your nephew was ever ready to go out, no matter what the time, nor how
fatigued he was, and as these operations continue, I know I shall miss him more and more."
So ended a promising career. An eager volunteer, Lieutenant Brydon willingly gave himself for his country, and counted not his life dear unto him. He lies in the cemetery attached to the hospital near the small village of Bassonia, on the banks of the river Hai, about six miles south of Kut. A wooden cross, with brass plate attached, marked his grave. This cross, a photograph of which is here given, was sent to Sir Henry Ballantyne in the remarkable circumstances related in the letter below. It is now preserved in Peebles Parish Church.
|
1888 - 1917 (28 years)
