Tom at 37 ... and 100.
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HERMISTON Peacefully, at home, on Friday, April 3, 2020, Thomas Mack Hermiston, aged 103, a loved husband of the late Louise, a dear dad of Zena and the late Gordon, father-in-law to Patricia, loving grandad to Lesley and Andrew and a much loved great-grandad to Beth, Jessica and Daniel. Private funeral at Barnhill Cemetery because of the coronavirus.
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Source: Dundee Courier, April 8, 2020.
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Tom was born in Leith but placed in care when he was still just a boy after the death of his mum. He enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders in 1934 and, in 1940, was commissioned and transferred to the Border Regiment. He saw service in France, North Africa, India, and the Far East, where he was a Chindit.
The Chindits, officially known as Long Range Penetration Groups, were special operations units of the British and Indian armies which saw action in 1943-1944 against the Japanese during the Burma
Campaign of World War II. Major Thomas Mack Hermiston fought with the Chindits behind enemy lines.
He taught at Morgan Academy for nearly thirty years, having been hired in 1953 and, three years later, being appointed Principal Teacher of P.E. He was an all-round sportsman, and an accomplished gymnast (at the age of 60, he famously walked the length of the stage in the old Morgan hall, on his hands, to show he could still do it). Known as Hermie by the pupils, he had a hip replacement in 1972 and therafter became Principal Teacher of Guidance.
He retired after almost 30 years in 1981 holding legendary status in the history of the Morgan, and kids he taught kept in touch throughout his life.
When interviewed by the local paper, The Evening Telegraph, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, Tom stated that, if it were up to him,
he'd
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still be at school. Of his time in Burma he said he had the usual medals, but none for bravery – getting his men home safely was more important.
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