Thomas Gillespie (rower)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Cunningham Gillespie (14 December 1892 - 18 October 1914) was a British
rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
. He was killed in action in the First World War.
Gillespie was the son of Thomas Paterson Gillespie and his wife Elizabeth Hall Chalmers of Longcroft Linlithgow
. He was educated at Cargilfield Preparatory School
Cramond Bridge, Winchester College
and New College, Oxford
. He rowed for his college for three years when they were twice Head of the River and was a member of the New College eight
which won the silver medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
.
Gillespie obtained a university commission in the King's Own Scottish Borderers
and joined them on the outbreak of the First World War. He served as a lieutenant in the First Battle of the Aisne
. He was killed in action at La Basseé
. His remains were not recovered and his name is recorded on the Le Touret Memorial
nearby. His brother Alexander Douglas Gillespie was also killed in the war and his letters are preserved.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
. He was killed in action in the First World War.
Gillespie was the son of Thomas Paterson Gillespie and his wife Elizabeth Hall Chalmers of Longcroft Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
. He was educated at Cargilfield Preparatory School
Cargilfield Preparatory School
Cargilfield Preparatory School is a private co-educational prep school in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 1873.-Headteacher:The Headmaster is John Elder, whose most reported act so far has been to abolish homework.-Description:...
Cramond Bridge, Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
and New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
. He rowed for his college for three years when they were twice Head of the River and was a member of the New College eight
Eight (rowing)
An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....
which won the silver medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics featured 4 events, for men only. All races were held in Djurgårdsbrunnsviken from Thursday, July 17 to Saturday, July 19, 1912.-Medal summary:-Bronze medals:...
.
Gillespie obtained a university commission in the King's Own Scottish Borderers
King's Own Scottish Borderers
The King's Own Scottish Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division.-History:It was raised on 18 March 1689 by the Earl of Leven to defend Edinburgh against the Jacobite forces of James II. It is said that 800 men were recruited within the space of two hours...
and joined them on the outbreak of the First World War. He served as a lieutenant in the First Battle of the Aisne
First Battle of the Aisne
The First Battle of the Aisne was the Allied follow-up offensive against the right wing of the German First Army & Second Army as they retreated after the First Battle of the Marne earlier in September 1914...
. He was killed in action at La Basseé
La Bassée
La Bassée is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-History:La Bassée was the birthplace of the painter and draftsman Louis-Léopold Boilly .-References:*...
. His remains were not recovered and his name is recorded on the Le Touret Memorial
Le Touret Memorial
The Le Touret Memorial is a World War I memorial, located near the former commune of Richebourg-l'Avoué, in the Pas-de-Calais region of France. The memorial lists 13,389 names of British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave who were killed in the area prior to the start of the Battle of...
nearby. His brother Alexander Douglas Gillespie was also killed in the war and his letters are preserved.
External links
- Letters from Flanders, written by 2nd Lieut. A. D. Gillespie, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, to his home people; (1916) Photo of Gillespie and his last letter home