Biographical Information - St Michael's Parish Church

Participant Info

Biographical information: Thomas Harold Oldershaw was the son of the late Arthur and Leeba Oldershaw. He was a pupil and student at George Heriot’s School from 1910 – 1916, and was much liked by all who knew him.

He was posted missing in April 1918, and nothing definite was known as to his fate until January 1919, when the German Red Cross sent word that he died on 14th April 1918, and was buried at Moyenneville.

His Colonel, in the course of a letter to Mr Oldershaw, says:- “He went out on patrol with two men, and in the inky blackness must have lost his way and wandered into the Boche lines. Search parties failed to find any signs of them. I think it almost certain that your son and both his men must have been taken prisoners and I hope that news will come through soon … … The regiment has lost a very gallant officer, and we, his brother officers, a true friend. I am sure it will gratify you to know that your son behaved with the greatest gallantry and steadiness during the busy fighting which we have had lately, and that I specially selected him to take temporary command of a company in the absence of the Company Commander”

He died at the age of 20 and his name is on the WW1 St Michael’s memorial.