Photo: Brian Chandler

Colin McMillan has provided the following:

Thomas Garvie was born in 1898 and christened on 5th August that year.

In 1901 he was the youngest of five sons born to 37 year old Edmund Garvie, a house painter, and 39 year old Katherine Garvie. His brothers were Oswald (11), John G (10), Bowman (5) and Albert (4). Every member of the family was born in Morpeth and they lived at 25 Bridge Street in the town, approximately where St. Oswald’s charity shop is now (August 2019).

By 1911 the family had moved to 2 Old Phoenix Yard. This was near 16 Bridge Street, on the other side of the road and almost opposite their 1901 home. It was a four room dwelling and the family now consisted of five as the oldest son, Oswald (21) had moved on. The next two oldest boys were now working: 20 year old John George Garvie was an engineer apprentice, and Bowman Garvie was a gardener (Florist’s apprentice). The younger children were still at school.

Thomas died of wounds at the War Hospital, Edinburgh on 4th January 1919. His effects were sent his next of kin: his mother, Katherine.

Thomas Garvie is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01, M17.09 and M17.29

The CWGC entry for Rifleman Garvie