Medals & Awards

• Eygpt (Nile) Medal and Clasp
• Khedives Star
• Queens South Africa Medal & Clasp
• Kings South Africa Medal & Clasp
• Mentioned in Despatches in South Africa
• British War & Victory Medals

Newspaper Obituary

Perthshire Advertiser – 10th June 1916

Passing of a Popular Officer

Colonel Mowbray Berkeley, Black Watch

REQUIEM SERVICE IN ST. JOHN’S

A Requiem Mass for the late Lieut-Colonel T. Mowbray Berkeley, of the Black Watch, killed in action on 25^th May, was held in St. John’s Church, Melville Street [Perth], on Thursday afternoon.

Canon Welsh was celebrant, the Rev. Fathers Bradley and Mattiew, C. SS. R., acted as Deacon and sub-Deacon respectively, while the Rev. Joseph Brough was Master of Ceremonies. The music was plain chant rendered by a choir and students from St. Mary’s, Kinnoull.

Among others attending the service were Colonel P.J.C. Livingstone, commanding the Depot at Queen’s Barracks, Captain Sir David Baird, Bart., M.V.O., Major Wilson Farquharson, D.S.O., and Captain Stewart all of the Black Watch, together with Colonel Scott Elliot of the Cameron Highlanders; Hon. Sheriff-Substitute Kinloch; Councillor Rollo and Mr. J. G. Miller and Mr. New.

THE PANEGYRIC

The Rev. Canon Welsh who gave the panegyric said they were to pray for the soul of Thomas Mowbray Martin Berkeley who met is death recently in France. The Colonel he said, was born in 1859 at Sandhurst where he was educated and entered the Black Watch in 1879. He first saw service in the Egyptian War of 1884-5. When the South African war broke out he went with his regiment into that campaign in which he was twice wounded.

He retired from the regular army in 1903 but served several years as Brigade Major to the Territorial Forces in Perthshire. In 1909 he was appointed to the Hon. Corp of Gentlemen at Arms in recognition of gallant and meritorious services.

When the present war broke out he rejoined the army and in 1915 was appointed assistant Quartermaster General to the Territorial Division in Perthshire. He was very anxious to be sent to the front but owing to his age - he was 57 - it was afraid his wish would not be gratified, But he was ultimately given a post as Camp Commandant to the 10th Army Corps in France. That was in the April last.

An officer, a lifelong friend who was in the trenches, sent for him to call and see him. While there a bombardment took place. When the firing ceased there was an exposed piece of ground over which men had been passing and repassing without attracting the fire of the enemy. A party including Colonel Berkeley were proceeding across this ground when a shell burst a good distance from them. A fragment of the shell struck Colonel Berkeley on the back, pierced his heart and he fell forward dead.

A GENIUS FOR FRIENDSHIP

There were two notable points in his character, proceeded the Canon. One which is his absolutely lovable nature. You seem to have a genius for friendship he made friends everywhere and inspired affection in everyone he met. The war has broken many lifelong friendships and created many blanks that will never be filled. I cannot recall a personality that will be so affectionately remembered by his soldier and civilian friends as that of Colonel Berkeley. He was only a single month in France and while there he won the hearts of not a few of his fellow officers.  Few men could make themselves so loved in so short a time. It had been recorded by a brother officer that Colonel Berkeley never had an enemy. I first saw him nine years ago. I was then in charge of a country parish in northern Perthshire. One bleak Sunday morning I found a military man at worship in the little country church. It was Colonel Berkeley who had been residing at a shooting lodge and had cycled 12 miles over the sodden roads to attend mass. The most striking thing about Colonel Berkeley was his genuine childlike piety. He was essentially a man of faith who took his full share in the activities of life and diffuse an atmosphere of happiness and goodwill wherever he went. It is the lot of few men and certainly and inspiring into alive to pass away mourned by troops of friends. Colonel Berkeley never forgot the one thing necessary - his duty to God. His death came with startling suddenness but I am sure it did not find him unprepared. He was a good Christian man, a brave soldier, and kind friend. Let us pray for his soul and let us remember that the band that binds us together is not broken by death.

An impressive service concluded with the Dead March in Saul, the old years remaining standing well the solemn and triumphant notes pealed from the full-toned organ.

War Diary Entries

The below entries come from 10 Corps War Diary reference WO-95-855-2 Pages 83 and 89 respectively and show that he was a member of 10 Corps and that he died on 25 May 1916 near