Death of an Old Soldier
ELGIN - MORAY WEEKLY NEWS 24th October 1879 (p2 col6)

On Saturday last THOMAS DUMBRECK, a veteran of the Napoleonic wars which distinguished the early part of the present century, was found dead in bed in his house in Murdoch's Wynd. Thomas has taken part in more action and more service than most men living. Born at Gibraltar in December 1796, he enlisted as a drummer boy in the famous 42nd Highlanders at the early age of nine years. His father was a native of Rothes and at the time of his son's birth was serving with the 42nd in Gibraltar. Thomas served in almost all the Peninsular battles and had vivid recollections of the scenes he passed through. He used to tell with great effect of how he heard Nelson's guns at Trafalgar, and saw portions of the wreck of that crushing defeat and glorious victory of the 21st October, float by as he was sailing out with the regiment to the rock on which he was born. His father was killed at Corunna. Thomas left the 42nd Regiment in 1815, and was not present at the battle of Waterloo. Having enlisted again, however, in one of the Regiments that accompanied Napoleon Bonaparte to St Helena, he remained on the island
until the Emperor died, and for some ten years after that event. He told several incidents of the fallen monarch, which as a private soldier he had observed; and he also touchingly related how he played in the march at Napoleon's funeral in the grave at Slane's valley on the island. After the death of Napoleon and the removal of his remains to the "banks of the Seine," Thomas joined the Regiment of the St. Helenia Fencibleat in which he remained ten years. He afterwards became a seaman in the Navy, and served on various ships in different parts of the globe. He quitted the service of his country in 1842, and came to Elgin some fifteen years later. A few years ago Thomas obtained a pension of 1s 6d. a day, upon which he supported himself during the last days of a life which had witnessed many privations and seen many events and changes.