Private Peter Stewart

Private Peter Stewart, 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Flanders, aged 19, on 23rd April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. He was born in Cockburnspath and was the son of William and Mary Stewart of Blackburn, Grantshouse. Poison gas was used for the first time by the Germans on the 22nd April and a dent had been made in the line. 2nd K.O.S.B. were tasked with trying to support the French and the Lahore Division by recovering the village of Pilckem. There was no proper plan or artillery support but the Battalion, with heavy losses, managed to advance to the assistance of some Canadians cut off in a forward trench. No further advance was possible. Casualties amounted to 9 Officers and 240 Other Ranks. The Battalion was relieved on the 24th by the 4th Rifle Brigade.  The photographs  show troops trying on their rudimentary gas masks.