Thomas Mercer tree

Rank: Second Lieutenant (promoted from Sergeant on 17/Sep/1915.) Regiment: 42nd Regiment - The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Awards: DCM and various awards for service in South Africa.

The "Chronicles of Fife" have no record of a DCM for 2nd Lieutenant A. Mercer, 1st Battalion. However there is a DCM listed for Sergeant A. Mercer, 2nd Battalion. In 1914, 1st battalion was stationed in Aldershot and 2nd battalion in India. Both battalions were transferred to France at the outbreak of war, but 2nd battalion moved to Mesopotamia before the action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

In his letters, Andrew talks about gaining his commission on 21/Sep/1915. We therefore suppose that he won the DCM as a Sergeant with the 2nd, then transferred to the 1st.

Extracts from "The Royal Highland Regiment - Black Watch 42nd - 73rd Medal Roll 1801-1911"

2nd Battalion The Black Watch, South African Medals and Clasps. 1st April 1901, 1st Oct 1902.

p231

Regtl No - 7144| Rank - Pte Name - Mercer, A Remarks - none (blank) Paardeberg - 1 Wittebergen - 1 Cape Colony - 1 Transvaal - 1 S. Africa 1901 - 1 S. Africa 1902 - 1 Right to King's South Africa Medal - Yes

Andrew Mercer wrote letters from the front line in WW1. From them I was able to identify his record at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. (http://www.cwgc.org/) There is also a picture of the cemetery where he is buried.

Extracts from " History of the Black Watch in the Great War, Volume 1" by A.G.Wauchope.

p118: Record of Officer's Services Name Mercer, A. Rank 2nd Lieut. Record Commissioned from ranks, after 16 years 8 mths service, 17.9.15, Wounded, 13.10.15, Died of Wounds at le Touquet, 22.10.15 Actions at which present Loos '15, Hohenzollern Redoubt '15 Promotions and Regtl Appts Nil

p150: List of those "Mentioned in Dispatches" 2nd Lieut. A. Mercer

p337: 2nd Battalion, list of those receiving DCM Sgt. A. Mercer

Note from Erica Gregory, grand-daughter of Andrew and Edith: Granddad had been recalled to fight in Europe and, as soon as they could arrange it, Granny and the girls (Janet and Emily) came over to London in early 1915. As the ship was late in arriving, they missed Granddad’s special leave and he had to go straight back to the front despite missing them. When he was wounded, Granny went over to tend him and was with him to the end. She never recovered from his loss and was quite eccentric thereafter – very loveable though. During the time she spent nursing him, Janet and my mother had to stay in the house of a kindly Police Sergeant in Dover. As she was not allowed to take them over to France, he and his wife offered them accommodation out of the blue. Mum says Granny was eternally grateful but she feels the Policeman and his wife were a trifle relieved when the girls were collected on Granny’s return as they had been brought up in a very free and easy way in the mountains of India and were a trifle adventurous – specially with roof climbing. She would just smile and say no more about it. Granddad was always spoken of with great love and both the girls had adored him, as had Granny. I can feel that love when I think of him now, it was such a strong influence in my childhood.

Note from Erica Gregory, grand-daughter of Andrew and Edith: Granddad had been recalled to fight in Europe and, as soon as they could arrange it, Granny and the girls (Janet and Emily) came over to London in early 1915. As the ship was late in arriving, they missed Granddad’s special leave and he had to go straight back to the front despite missing them. When he was wounded, Granny went over to tend him and was with him to the end. She never recovered from his loss and was quite eccentric thereafter – very loveable though. During the time she spent nursing him, Janet and my mother had to stay in the house of a kindly Police Sergeant in Dover. As she was not allowed to take them over to France, he and his wife offered them accommodation out of the blue. Mum says Granny was eternally grateful but she feels the Policeman and his wife were a trifle relieved when the girls were collected on Granny’s return as they had been brought up in a very free and easy way in the mountains of India and were a trifle adventurous – specially with roof climbing. She would just smile and say no more about it. Granddad was always spoken of with great love and both the girls had adored him, as had Granny. I can feel that love when I think of him now, it was such a strong influence in my childhood.