Morpeth Herald 16/11/1917 carries an obituary:
SERGT.-MAJOR TOM LOTHIAN KILLED
It is with regret that we state that the Misses Lothian, 30 North Place, Morpeth, have now received official notice that their brother Sergt.-Major Tom Lothian died of wounds in France on October 27th.
The deceased sergeant [sic[ was the youngest son of the late Thomas and Dorothy Lothian, and was educated at the Council School under the late Ald. R.J. Carr. On leaving school he served his apprenticeship as a butcher, and in 1914, when he was called to duty along with the Territorials, was in the employ of Mr R.S. Turnbull, Newgate Street.
Apart from business he was connected with the Boys’ Brigade for a number of years, in which he reached the rank of sergeant. He was a keen athlete, and took an active part in all manly exercises. He was also a member of St James’s Institute.
In a letter received from Sergeant R. Pridpeath he says:- “It is with deepest regret that I am informing you about your brother Tommie. He died of wounds caused in action. He was wounded on the 24th October.
“With the help of my pals we got him into a dressing station, where he was attended to at once. He died a few days after. Tommie was our Company Sergeant-Major, and was respected by all officers, N.C.O.s, and men alike. We all join in sending you our heartfelt sympathy as a token of honour to our comrade, who gave his life for the common cause.”
In a letter to Miss Matheson, Regimental Sergeant-Major, T.H. Hall writes:- “I have to record the loss of another good chum, and the battalion has lost a good soldier. I mean Sergt.-Major Lothian. He was one of the best of chaps, and his death came as a great shock to us.
“At first I was under the impression that his wounds, though serious, were not dangerous. However, he has gone beyond recall, poor boy, and all we can do is to think of him and all his good qualities. He met his death facing the enemy, as all good soldiers, whose fate is to die, wish to do.”
ROLL OF HONOUR
LOTHIAN.- Died of wounds received in action, on October 27th, Sergeant-Major Lothian, youngest son of the late Thomas and Dorothy Lothian, North Place, Morpeth.
He is remembered at Morpeth on M17.01 M17.09 and M17.29 and in the Battalion History
