Private Robert Davidson

Private Robert Davidson, ( possibly )1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 12th July 1915, aged 21, during the ” Charge ” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He was the son of Catherine and the late Matt Davidson of  Roberton and 2 Weensland Terrace, Hawick and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.  Before enlisting he had been employed as a forester at Gala House, GalashielsThis fateful day became known as the ” Black Day of the Borders” as out of the over 700 Officers and Men who had begun the attack only 70 unwounded men answered evening roll call. Few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of their sons that day. Both Colonel Mcneile from Bowden and his Adjutant Captain Lang from Newstead were posted missing presumed killed. The first photo shows Achi Baba marked with a cross. This “hill” dominated the battlefield and was never captured. The second shows the Borderers attacking at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield taken in 1922.