Thomas McKay (gunner) facts for kids

Thomas McKay, known as "Tam the Gun", was a very special Staff Sergeant in the British Army. For many years, he was in charge of firing the famous One O'Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle. He did this every day from 1979 until 2005, becoming the person who held this important job for the longest time.

Early Life and Army Service

Thomas McKay was born in Lochgelly, a town in Fife, Scotland. He grew up in another Scottish town called Musselburgh. When he was older, he joined the Territorial Army. This is a part of the British Army where people serve part-time, often alongside their regular jobs. He was part of a group called 529 Company Royal Army Service Corps.

The Famous One O'Clock Gun

The One O'Clock Gun is a special cannon that fires exactly at 1:00 PM every day, except on Sundays. It has been doing this since 1861. It acts as a "time signal," helping people know the correct time.

Tam McKay started firing the gun in July 1979. Over his many years in the role, he became a well-known and loved character in Edinburgh. When he first started, the gun was a type called a 25-pound Howitzer. Later, in 2001, it was replaced with a newer L118 Light Gun. Tam the Gun had the honor of firing this new gun for the very first time.

Awards and Recognition

In 1999, Sergeant McKay received a special award from the Queen. It was called the MBE, which stands for Member of the Order of the British Empire. He received this award for his excellent service in the Territorial Army.

Tam's Contributions and Legacy

Sergeant McKay did more than just fire the gun. He helped create an exhibition about the One O'Clock Gun inside Edinburgh Castle. He even helped get money for it from the National Lottery and Historic Scotland. This exhibition teaches visitors about the gun's history and how time signals were first used in Edinburgh in the 1840s.

Tam also had the idea of finding sponsors for the gun. This would help make sure the gun could keep firing for many years to come. He also worked hard to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund, which helps soldiers and their families. In 2002, he wrote a book about the gun, full of stories and facts. It was called What Time Does Edinburgh's One O'clock Gun Fire?, and all the money from the book went to the Army Benevolent Fund.

Tam McKay even appeared on BBC Scotland's Hogmanay Live show. He fired the gun to mark the start of the New Year. He continued to fire the gun until he retired on January 27, 2005. Sadly, he passed away at his home in Dunfermline later that year, at the age of 60.

A Train Named in His Honor

To remember Sergeant McKay, a train was named after him in June 2006. It was a GNER train, specifically a Class 91 locomotive, number 91122. His wife officially named the train in a special ceremony at Edinburgh Waverley.