Colin Boyd has provided the following:
Thomas was born in Dipton in 1897 to George and Hannah Smailes and was living with his parents at 13, George Street when he enlisted in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was posted to the 1st Battalion and served in the Balkan theatre (Salonika ?) from 29th April 1915 and later in France where he died of wounds on 26th October 1916.
Thomas Smailes is remembered in Dipton on D46.02
