More about Thomas Smith

Tom Smith   Royal Engineers

DUNDEE SAPPER WITH THREE WOUNDS

HAD TO CRAWL TO A DRESSING STATION.

Sapper Tom Smith, of the Royal Engineers, who is lying in St Mary’s Hospital, London, had a remarkable escape from death.  Sapper Smith was a reservist, and was employed as a gasfitter in the Dundee Corporation Gas Department.

In a letter to Mr Alex. Don, his foreman, he gives the following description of his experiences :—”I was wounded on 9th or 10th October—I don’t know exactly which for they don’t keep dates very well over here.  Four shells dropped in the road beside us, and killed two and wounded three, we were out laying a telephone cable to the K.O.S.B.’s and had just got the job finished when I was laid out.  It was a shrapnel shell, I got one piece through the right foot and one below the left knee and a piece of the case on the right hip, nothing serious, all flesh wounds, but enough to lay you out for a bit.  I had to crawl for about 500 yards or so to get to the dressing station, because if you lie you might have to lie all night, and then they would miss you.  However, I have been lucky, and hope to be with you in a week or so.  Every man is needed, and the sooner they get them out the quicker the war will be over.  I had a good few French and German souvenirs, but did not get time to bring them away.  It was everyone for himself, and we had to cut for it.”  Sapper Smith’s wife and family reside at 151 Victoria Road, Dundee.

Dundee Courier 24th November 1914