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County of Peebles Book of Remembrance.
123
SEC-LIEUT. JOHN WALLACE MUIR
(Teaqtjaie)
KoTAii Tlting Corps.
1918. March 12 (Tuesday).
Reported missing on 12th March, 1918, now
reported killed on that date, John Wallace
Muir, 2nd lieutenant, E.F.C., age 19, young-
er son of Mr and Mrs John Muir, Fairnilee
Farm House, Galashiels, and grandson of
the late Rev. Jardin© Wallace, of Traquair.
John Wallace Muir, born 17th February,
1899, at Dryhope, T.arrow, Selkirkshire. He
was the younger son of John Muir, Fairni-
lee Farm House, Galashiels. He went to
Edinburgb Academy in 1914, was captaiin of
the shooting VIII. 1916, 1st XV. 1916. He join-
ed the Eoyal Flying Corps in April, 1917,
at the age of 18. Was made Cadet-Sergeant
in April, 1917; gazetted Second Lieutenant
in July, 1917; received his "Wings'' in Oct-
ober, 1917; went to France in November,
1J17. He wag posted to 46 Squadron E.F.C.,
and saw much active service. In February,
1918, "^A'' Flight, in which he was, made
the higihest score in aerial gunnery of any
squadron in France, and won General
Trenchard's prize. At the beginning of
March, 1918, the enemy offensive was expect-
ed. On the morning of 12th March, "A"
Flight went out at dawn ^\ath 4 20 lb.
bombs on each machine. They blew up a
German bridge, and then attacked German
cavalry and infantry. All the machines were
flying low, .and each pilot divedl in turn on
the enemy dropping bombs and firing his
machine guns, killing numbers of men a:id
horses. It was at this time that lieut. J.
W. Muir's machine became damaged, and a
little (time later came down in flames and
exploded east of Queant between Cambrai
and Bapaume.
This morning's work of "A" FligM was
considered as among the most gallant at tihat
time. The Chaplain wrote that one of the
mechanics of his Squadron had said :• — "Lieut.
Muir wa.s one of the best we ever had in
the Flight.'^
He was 19 years of age when he was
killed.
AN AIRMAN'S PASSING.
You that swept onward through the skies,
uncaring
When death screamed past you with an
inch to spare.
That found a man's clean joy in deeds of
daring
And all the high adventure of the air.
That gave your native land a love undying,
Knowing her honour it was yours to keep.
Can this be you, indeed, that here is lying
Wrapped in your last long sleep?
Through all those' years of strife your high
endeavour
Knew nought of pride of place or lust of
fame;
The light of ihonour was your beacon ever,
And duty done was all you caredl to claim.
Never was gentler knight for burial shrouded
Than you, to whom to-day all things are
clear,
A Bayard of our time, your sliield unclouded.
Without reproach or fear.
Mournful the Dead March wails, but yet
your story
Ends but with us on earth, and faith
affords
The certain promise of a greater glory
Of service in that host which is the Lord's.
splendid prodigal, tha.t joyed in spending
Your golden youth to do your Master's
will.
Your soul, new freed, shall know a joy
unending
In love and service still !
PRIVATE GORDON TAIT
(Walkeebuen)
8th Eotal Scots.
1918. March 21 (Thttrsdat).
Private Gordon Tait enlisted in August,
1914, and was therefore one of the original
members of what the German Emperor
styled "French's contemptible army," thence-
forth a designation of honour, for which lie
earned the Mons Star. He went through the
whole of the war until 1918, when he fell.
He was half brother to Dickson Maule. His
brother, William Tait, also fell.
It was on this day, March 21, that the
Second Battle of the Somme began. It was