Corporal James Baptie

Corporal James Baptie, 13th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was wounded and captured in action in France on 28th March 1918 during the German March Offensive and and died, aged 33, on 30th March in German Field Hospital No. 287  He is buried in Sin-Le-Noble Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.  He was the son of Margaret and the late John Baptie of Wells, Denholm and was engaged to Miss Rose Wood of Bonchester Bridge. Before enlisting in March 1915 he had been employed as head gamekeeper by Sir Robert Usher of Wells, Hobkirk. It is likely he fell in the desperate defence of positions near Tilloy Wood  where the Battalion held its ground but suffered severe casualties. 3 Officers and 6 Other Ranks were killed and 7 Officers and 230 Other Ranks were missing as well as 140 wounded. The photographs show Allied troops in defensive positions preparing to resist the German advances.