Private Nicholas Allan

Private Nicholas Allan, 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died on 20th April 1915 in Flanders of wounds received in action, aged 46. He had been born in Glendale, Northumberland and was the son of William and Helen Allan of West End House, Birgham and is buried on Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, Flanders, Belgium. It is likely that he was wounded in the attack, on 18th April, on Hill 60 which cost the Battalion 10 Officer and 201 Other Rank casualties. Mines had been blown on 17th April and Hill 60 captured. 2nd K.O.S.B. became involved in bloody hand to hand fighting for the craters caused by the explosions and with no proper front line casualties were suffered from all directions. At 11.30a.m.the Battalion was withdrawn to  reserve in Railway Dugouts. His name has now been added to the Memorial at a special ceremony of dedication on the hundredth anniversary of his death. His father was the village blacksmith and before enlisting he was employed as a farrier in Edinburgh. His Commonwealth War grave Headstone is inscribed ” We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free “.

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