Thomas Downie Lockhart was born on January 25th, 1879 in Scotland to Archibald and Margaret Lockhart. Thomas and his family moved to Canada where he worked as a contractor for many years with his brother. At 35 years old and a bachelor, Thomas was “one of the most popular military men in Galt,” and was an active member of the 29th Regiment. Thomas was one of the first men from Galt (Cambridge) to volunteer to fight for the Canadian Expeditionary Force in August 1914. Thomas’s brother Archie stayed home and tended to their mother and their plumbing and steam heating business. Thomas was promoted to Captain for the 1st Battalion in Belgium. On May 13th 1915 Archie received a telegram that said,
“Dear Mr. Lockhart – I deeply regret to report the death of your brother Captain T.D. Lockhart on the forenoon of Friday 23rd inst. He was leading his platoon in a charge over a long stretch of open country which afforded no cover and just before reaching an old trench about 600 yards from the enemy he was struck by a bullet and was carried into the trench where he lived only a few minutes. The casualty list was very heavy and I was the only officer in your brother’s company not seriously hurt… Major Kimmins had taken your brother’s valuables and put them in his own kit, but he next was killed… Your mother and yourself have the most sincere sympathy of the officers of the 1st Battalion. I am yours very truly, P.W. Pick, Lieut. First Battalion.”
Thomas left behind his mother, four brothers, and two sisters. Lieutenant Thomas Downie Lockhart is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.
Service number: N/A
“Thomas Downie Lockhart,” Waterloo Region Generations, assessed March 20, 2015, http://generations.regionofwaterloo.ca/getperson.php?personID=I84630&tree=generations
“Capt. Lockhart Was Killed in Action,” The Waterloo Chronicle, May 13, 1915.
