Circumstances of Casualty: Died of Wounds. While on duty in the trenches with his Company on the afternoon of October 7th, 1915 he was severely wounded about the legs by the explosion of an enemy rifle grenade. His wounds were dressed and he was taken to No. 5 Field Ambulance where he died.
BX October 18, 1915
Company Sergeant Major Thomas Mack Has Died of Wounds in Flanders – Was popular Non-Com, of Dufferin Rifles – The Official Casualty List Tells of Another Brantford Man Who Has Given Up His Life in the Cause
Company Sergeant Major Thomas Mack, one of the most popular and efficient non-commissioned officers of the 38th Dufferin Rifles, has died of wounds received while fighting for his King and Country in Flanders. Sergt.-Major Mack, who is a married man, enlisted with the second contingent in Major “Bert” Newman’s command, he having previously been color-sergeant of E. Company of the Dufferin Rifles. With the 19th Battalion, as one of Major Newman’s right-hand men, Sergt.-Major Mack remained in Toronto during the greater part of the winter months, leaving for England in the early spring and a few weeks ago crossing the channel into France for service in the trenches. The official casualty lists published at Ottawa announces this morning the death of the Brantford soldier.
Company Sergt.-Major Mack, who was employed as a bench-hand at the Massey-Harris factory, he being connected with Lieut.-Col. Colquhoun’s department, was serving as the popular president of the sergeant’s mess at the armories at the outbreak of war, and was a great favorite with the men of the regiment, as well as being valued by his superior officers.
In addition to serving for nine years in the Dufferin Rifles, Company Sergt.-Major Mack was associated for 9 ¾ years with the A. and S. Highlanders and was every inch a soldier. At the time of his departure from Brantford his wife and two children resided at 14 Riddoll’s Avenue, but since then they have boarded with Mrs. Ankers, at 36 Brighton Place.
Mrs. Mack had not received any official word up to noon today other than what appeared in the official casualty list issued from Ottawa.
BX October 25, 1915
Rifle Grenade Burst, Killing T. Mack, Wounded Two Others – How Company Sergt.-Major T. Mack Met His Death – Pte. A.A. Pearson Received Half a Dozen Bullets in the Leg and Kester Edmondson One in the Scalp Besides Several Which Almost Missed Him
A rifle grenade bursting three feet away from Company Sergt.-Major Thomas Mack, and Privates A.A. Pearson and Kester Edmondson, was responsible for the killing of the first named and the wounding of the other two. Pearson received six or seven wounds in the legs, and Edmondson a nasty wound in the head from the one grenade. Edmondson narrowly escaped death.
The Letter
The story is told in a letter received by Mrs. Edmondson, Colborne and Brock Streets, from her husband who writes in part:
Oct. 10, 1915
St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital,
France
Arrived here this morning, 1 o’clock after a very tiring journey since 4.20 pm on the 7th. I got a nasty bullet wound in my head so have taken a journey down country for a rest.
We were just getting supper ready when a rifle grenade broke some three feet in front of us. Sergt.-Major Mack was hit very badly, and although am not certain I rather fear he is buried by now. Pearson was just behind him and got six or seven bullets in one of his legs.
There seemed to be a lot of horseshoes coming my way, for one bullet scraped my neck, another my leg and another my hand, the one in the head being the only one that caused much suffering. Things along the firing line at present are very quiet, but we expect something to be done soon.
From the time we were hit all the way down the line, and up to now, everything is fine. They can’t do too much for you and everyone you come in contact with is considerateness itself. I commenced this letter yesterday, but was taken away in the midst of it to have my head dressed. I had a fairly good night, but my head is pretty sore. I can’t seem to find a comfortable place for it. Pearson and I were fortunate to escape as well as we did. I can’t tell for sure how long I’ll be in the hospital, but expect to be back at my work in a week or two.
BX October 25, 1915
A Stirring Reference – Made by Rev. D.T. McClintock on Death of Col.-Sgt. Major Thomas Mack
At Alexandra Church yesterday Rev. D.T. McClintock’s theme for the morning sermon was the seventh word from the cross, “Father, into Thy hand I commend my spirit.” From this text, the pastor made feeling reference to the death of the late Company Sergt.-Major Thomas Mack. “The awfulness of war has been brought home to our church in a special way this past week. News had reached the city through the press on Monday that Mr. Mack had died of wounds on Tuesday. Official notice from Ottawa confirmed the same. On Saturday, a letter was received by Mrs. Kester Edmondson, from her husband in the hospital where he lies wounded in the head by a rifle grenade, which also had seriously wounded Pearson and caused the death of Mr. Mack. Mrs. Mack received a letter written by her husband at 12 o’clock on Oct. 7 three hours before he received his mortal wounds.
The pastor said he found that one of the most difficult things he had to do during his ministry was to break the news to his wife. Mr. Mack leaves to mourn his loss a wife and two children, a boy and girl. He was a member in good standing in this church, a devoted husband and loving father. Those who knew him best in military circles speak of him as a fine man and an excellent soldier. “We do not know whether he had time between receiving his wounds and the end to offer the prayer of our text,” said the pastor, “but whether he offered the prayer or not we do believe the strong and tender hands of God were there to receive his spirit home. It is not for us to doubt the supreme future of any man who has died for us, for your fireside and mine. His life had stood the supreme test. ‘Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ We commend his widow and children to the love and sympathy of all and to Him who has ever made the widow and fatherless, objects of His special love and care.”
The music was appropriate. “Crossing the Bar” was sung by the choir, and a solo, “Shadows,” by Miss Marlette. The 23rd Psalm and the hymns, “Here We Suffer Grief and Pain,” and “A Few More Years Shall Roll” by the choir and congregation.
BX October 26, 1915
Sympathies to Bereaved – City Council Sent Condolence to Families of Two Heroes, T. Mack and H. Logan
Since the previous meeting of the Brantford City Council held on Oct. 12, two Brantford men have been officially announced as having given up their lives on the battlefields of France or Flanders. At the City Council meeting last evening, civic recognition of their bravery and devotedness, and official sympathy from Brantford citizens, expressed through their elected municipal rulers, were expressed to the bereaved families in the following resolution which will be placed on the civic minutes, thus providing local history.
“That it is with heartfelt grief that this council is called upon to sympathize with the friends of Company Sergt.-Major Thomas Mack and Pte. Herb Logan, who have recently lost their lives in the great battle now, raging on the continent of Europe in defence of liberty and justice, they have been taken from us in the pride and flower of manhood, nobly doing their bit in defence of their loved ones. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the bereaved families of the deceased.”
BX April 9, 1917
Paid a Tribute to Fighting Men
At the Sunday evening service at Alexandra Presbyterian Church special mention was made of the soldiers who have enlisted from the congregation, nearly 100 in number, two of whom have made the supreme sacrifice, Sergt.-Major Thomas Mack and Pte. Herbert Stone. The prayers and sympathy of the congregation were extended to their relatives and friends. Those who expect to leave with the 215th are Mr. Fred Lyle, Mr. Curran, Mr. E. Corey, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Blackburn, Mr. R. Johnson, and Mr. George Brown. Miss Miriam Heath is leaving in the near future as a nursing sister, the second nurse to leave from the congregation. Nursing Sister Miss Mildred Robertson has been overseas since the beginning of the war. The returned heroes are David Lyle, Wm. Lyle, H.B. McGill, W.R. Macdonald and Edward Curran. These men have seen actual fighting. Some may return overseas.
