Renouf Thomas J. Cadet 14427465
Personnel Entry
Name Renouf Thomas Joseph
Army number 14427465 and 373008.
Rank Cadet
Decorations M.M., Legion D'Honneur, M.B.E.
Date of birth Born 28/3/1925 at Fisherrow, Musselburgh, East Lothian.
Age 91 at the time of his death.
Unit Thomas received his call-up papers on 1/4/1943, four days after his eighteenth birthday. He was enlisted in the General Service Corps at Perth's Queen's Barracks on 6/5/1943. After Basic Training he undertook a 3-month's Signals Course. Transferred to the London Scottish September 1943, and posted to the 2nd Battalion. The 2nd Battalion disbanded April 1944. Transferred to the Black Watch April 1944, and posted to 1st Tyneside Scottish. Served Normandy. Posted to the 5th Battalion Black Watch on the disbandment of 70th Brigade. Wounded just after transfer. Spent around eight weeks in hospital and then Transit Camps. Returned to the 5th Battalion Black Watch and took part in the Rhine crossing. Discharged to a Black Watch Commission 25/10/46, (as Officer Number 373008), Serial No. 63/1 - 1/1/47. Served for many years as the Secretary of the Black Watch Association and made various pilgrimages to France.
Company/Battery 1st Tyneside Scottish - initially Reserve Company, A Company. 5th Black Watch - A Company.
Platoon or other sub-unit 5th Black Watch - 7 Platoon.
Task or role Section Commander in 7 PLatoon under Lt Murray at the time of his gallantry award.
Joined Brigade April 1944.
Promotions Lance Corporal.
Wounded Yes, at Mauny in late August 1944 - just after leaving 1st Tyneside Scottish.
Prisoner of War No.
Died/Killed in action Died 26/6/2016.
Home address Educated at Musselburgh Grammar School. 40, Monkton Hall Terrace, Musselburgh
Source table 1TS
Further information was gleaned from Dr Renouf's autobiographical account "Black Watch" and uploaded to the Webite. His various obituaries include his photograph and they are hyperlinked below.
Daily Telegraph obituary - click [here]
The Scotsman obituary - Click [here]
The Lead Researcher had the great good fortune to interview Tom Renouf at Musselburgh and even greater good fortune that he wrote a personal dedication in a copy of his book "Black Watch" which I had acquired before seeing him. He was a gentleman, and commended the 70th Brigade research and the objectives which lay behind it. We did keep in touch occasionally but it was some time, to my chagrin, before I realised that he had passed away.
