Captain Thomas Barrie Erskine 
Biography of Captain Thomas Barrie Erskine
Thomas Barrie Erskine was born in 1890 in Parkhead, Glasgow, son of Captain James Barrie, formally of the 7th Gordon Highlanders and Royal Air Force then latterly an insurance inspector. They resided at 8 Deerpark Gardens in Tollcross, Glasgow.
In 1912 Erskine entered into his fifth year of study at the University of Glasgow, choosing to study Medicine, having previously studied Logic and History in the Arts and Science Faculty. The outbreak of the First World War interrupted his studies, and he enlisted in 4th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 1st Gordon Highlanders regiment.
His regiment saw action on the Western Front throughout 1915, including during the second Battle of Ypres. On 12 July 1915 Captain Barrie ‘a very gallant and capable officer’ was decorated with the Military, the third level military decoration awarded to officers, awarded for 'gallantry during active operations against the enemy’. Only eight days after this was awarded, on 20 July 1915, personnel from the 1st Gordons regiment supported the 4th Middlesex Regiment with an assault on Hooge â€" 34 men were wounded and 9 men killed, amongst them Thomas Erskine. Aged 25, he was buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, and was later posthumously awarded a MA (Hons) degree by the University of Glasgow.
Captain Erskine is listed on the University's WWI Roll of Honour.
Sources
Other Online Resources
Archival Materials
- R8/5/33/3 E-G 1912-1913 - University Matriculation Slips
Summary
Captain Thomas Barrie Erskine
Born 1890.
Died 20 July 1915.
GU Degrees: Arts, MA, Arts,
University Link: Honorary Graduate, Student
Occupation categories: military; students
WWI: View WWI Roll of Honour Entry
English snippet: Honorary graduate of the University of GlasgowRecord last updated: 10th Feb 2014
University Connections
University Roles
- Honorary Graduate
- Student