Robert Shand Thoms, the only son of Robert Shand Thoms II, was
born in Calcutta, India in November 1911. He was educated at
Edinburgh Academy and Dundee Technical College, where he
studied jute manufacture before returning to India in that
field in 1936. He joined the Bengal Artillery and, at the
outbreak of war, he was commissioned into the 8th Punjab
Regiment. In 1942, at the fall of Singapore, where he served
as Brigade Intelligence Officer with the rank of Captain, he
was captured by the Japanese and worked as a prisoner
of war on the Burma Siam Railway.
**** He went back to
Scotland briefly on his release from captivity in 1945,
married Marjorie Dutton* (neé Dyer), and then returned to
his old firm in Calcutta the next year. He
left India for good in 1948 following the granting of
independence. He became an hotel proprietor in Scotland and
was connected with various business ventures in the printing
and packaging industries. However his real interest lay in his
love for Scotland and his fellow countrymen. In 1949 he became
Chairman of the Scottish Far East Prisoner of War Association,
dealing with the welfare of former prisoners of war and
civilian internees throughout Scotland; an office he held
until his death, working unceasingly and successfully for the
welfare of hundreds of Scots. He was also a Trustee of the
National Federation of F. E. P. O. W. Clubs and
Associations.
**** On the formation of the
World Federation of Scottish Societies in 1959, he was
appointed Honorary Secretary and held that position until
1973. In this capacity his knowledge of Scottish traditions
was sought by organisations throughout the World. He was also
a member of the Council of Scottish Clan Societies, serving
terms as Vice Chairman and Chairman; Honorary Secretary of the
St. Andrew Society; a Committee member of The Tartans Society,
and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
**** Robert Thoms , along
with the 18th Chief, co-founded the Clan MacThomas
Society in 1954 and served as Honorary Secretary from
1954 to 1958, Chairman from 1958 to 1963 and as a Vice
President from 1970 until his death in 1973. In August 1970
he was appointed Commissioner for Scotland by the 19th
Chief, Andrew MacThomas of Finegand.
**** He was a keen sportsman in
his younger days, playing Rugby, Tennis and Golf. He had two
sons, Robin and Michael, and adopted his two
stepdaughters, Jane and Felicity. Robert Thoms died in
Edinburgh in July 1973 at the age of 61
years.
****
Robert Thoms's
elder son, Robin, has been the Vice-President of the Clan
MacThomas Society for many years and his grand-daughter,
Kirstie Thoms Nials, served as European Secretary. Many other
members of his family are also members of the
Society.
The above
is an edited version of an article that appeared in Clach
Na Coileach, Volume 1 Number 6 1973/1974 under the title:
"Clan Worthies - 6 Robert Shand
Thoms".
Note: * Marjorie Thoms passed away in Perth, Australia during
October 2011 at the age of 93 years and her obituary appeared
in the 2012 edition of Clach Na Coileach, Volume 7, Number
1.
