McLAY, Thomas Dick

Name – McLAY, Thomas Dick
Born – 03/03/1890
Died – 6/09/1927
Location – No 10 Presberterian Section
Mother – Janet Dick
Father – John Colquhoun McLay

Notes – Thomas Dick McLay was born to Janet (nee Dick) and John Colquhoun McLay in Toowoomba in 1890. His siblings were Meta, Agnes, Grace, John and James.

Thomas married Ethel Harding on the 15th January, 1927. The poor couple did not have much time together before his early death nine months after their marriage. His daughter Janet Elizabeth was born after he died in October 1927. How sad for his wife and child.

His census records in 1917 showed him at HodgsonVale as a farmer with his family John, Janet, Meta and James. In 1925 he was living at Colbareena, Weimbilla, Tara and his occupation was listed as a graizer. He died suddenly at his home aged 36 years.

It appears Ethel moved back towards Mount Perry where her family came from after he died.

While the newspaper reports Thomas was a returned soldier and a member of the the local Sub Branch was in attendance at his funeral, no Service Records are available for him.

He has a headstone and the inscription reads – In loving memory of Thomas Dick McLay. Died 6th September, 1927. Aged 37 years.

Newspaper Article – Read here.

War Service File  – link

Learn more about the Tara Cemetery here.