Major Donaldson Charles Thom

Major Thom, 1st Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, was born on 11th August 1919, and at Loretto from May 1933 to April 1938. He was in the VI Form and the Boxing Team, and a Sergeant in the O.T.C. He was wounded in France, where he served with his regiment from February to June 1940. In 1943 he was sent to North Africa and took part in the advance to Tripoli and the invasion of Sicily. For his conduct in this campaign he was mentioned in Despatches in January 1944. In June 1944 he again accompanied his Battalion to France, and on the 19th of the same month was killed in action in the course of the heavy fighting round Caen.

"I always regarded him as an officer of the highest quality. He was loved and respected by his men, and the Battalion has suffered a grievous blow at his passing."
"He was always so cheerful, carried out the most difficult tasks with great spirit, and was one of the most steadfast and steady persons one could hope to meet. Charles' Company was a very happy one, and his men loved him as did his brother officers."
"A man, in the fullest sense of the word."

Second Lieutenant John Fortescue Thursby

Second Lieutenant Thursby, The King`s Own Shropshire Light Infantry, was born on 13th December 1925, and at Loretto from September 1939 to April 1943. He was in the VI Form and a cadet in the J.T.C. After being commissioned he was attached to No.1 Commando, 3rd Commando Brigade, and after a short time was sent out to India. There he contracted infantile paralysis, and died at Poona on 22nd June 1945.

"He was a fine chap and a splendid officer who, through his enthusiasm, became very popular with everybody."
"I and all my officers took to him straight away, and I can honestly say he was one of the best boys I have had."

Captain Peter Norman Tinn

Captain Tinn, 1st Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry, was born on 31st October 1918, and at Loretto from September 1932 to July 1937. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form, Athletics and Boxing Teams, and held the School record for the high jump (5 feet 7 and three quarter inches). From School he went to the R.M. College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned into the H.L.I. in January 1939. In September of that year he went to France, and during May 1940 was in charge of the Battalion motor transport. Just before Dunkirk, Captain Tinn, two other officers and about 30 men were the last to leave a position in which the Battalion had been fighting in the course of the retreat, and, falling into an ambush, were taken prisoners. During a halt on the road to St. Omer, Tinn and two others managed to crawl unobserved through a gap in the hedge, and when the party moved on made their way towards the coast which they reached in four days. Here, having disguised themselves as French peasants, they eventually got hold of a derelict boat and at 1.30am on 9th June put out to sea. They were picked up many hours later 20 miles off Margate. For the courage and resource he displayed during this adventure, and the valuable information he brought back, Captain Tinn was mentioned in Despatches. The remainder of his service was devoted to training duties. On 20th October 1942, while instructing his men at Malton, Yorkshire, in the use of a special type of bomb, he was hit and killed by a bomb splinter. He was greatly liked and respected by his comrades of all ranks, and did much for the physical fitness of those under his charge, whom he inspired with the true fighting spirit.

"It was chiefly as a friend that anyone who knew him would regard him, for he had an open, lovable side to his character that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. His word was a bond that was never broken."