2/Lt. Thomas Bryson Waddell, of the county battalion of Seaforths, who, as already reported, was killed in action in France on 9th April, was the son of Mr William B. Waddell, Woodwynd, Kilwinning, Ayrshire. A native of Kilwinning, he was a bright pupil at the Parish School, and passed to Irvine Academy as a bursar. He was a medallist there in mathematics and classics, and his earlier promise materialised at Glasgow University, where he graduated M.A. and B.Sc. with honours in mathematics and natural philosophy. Full fledged in Jan.1914, he was appointed science and classical master in Dornoch Academy. In July, 1915, he joined up, and became a private in a service battalion of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, receiving his training at Plymouth and other stations in England. A good shot, he was picked out and trained as a sniper, receiving a rank as Lance-Corporal. In May, 1916, he went to France, and for three months was on duty as a sniper. In August, 1916, by which time the authorities were looking round more particularly for likely officers, his qualities marked him out at once, and he came home to attend officers’ courses. He went to Gailes Cadet School, from which he emerged second in the list of candidates. He got his commission in January, 1917, and was posted to the 4th (Res.) Seaforths. At Ripon, Colonel Mason Macfarlane, recognising the qualities of the young officer, further special courses followed. In particular, apart from qualifying in musketry, he gained the certificate of a divisional anti-gas instructor, and on rejoining his unit acted as assistant in that capacity. He went to France in March, and had only been three weeks there when he fell at the head of his platoon. Lieut.-Colonel Unthank, in a letter to Lt. Waddell’s mother, confirms this statement, and speaks in terms of high appreciation of his worth and work.

“He was the embodiment of every manly virtue,” says a writer in a contemporary.
“He had a clean mind, a pure unsullied nature, an imperturbable disposition that never appeared to be touched by any mental disturbance, a bright and winning smile that radiated sunshine everywhere.” And, “If he indulged any feeling of pride whatever in the distinction he had received (at school or university), it was because of the joy it brought to a mother’s heart.”
“A most likeable lad, Colonel Mason Macfarlane said of him, “He would have gone far in his profession.”

“His passing has caused widespread sorrow in his native town, and aroused the keenest sympathy for the stricken home, but his memory will remain an abiding and precious possession in the hearts that now mourn for him.” In that sympathy with those who see the vacant chair officers and men of the county regiment join, and Ross-shire people share it sincerely and acknowledge the debt they owe to those who share in the war fortunes of her own immediate sons.

A portrait of Lt. Waddell appears to-day.