Private Robert Denholm

Private Robert  Denholm, 15th ( Service ) Battalion,( 1st Edinburgh) Royal Scots. He was killed in action in the attack on La Boiselle on 1st July 1916 on the First day of the Battle of the Somme aged 31. He was the son of Robert Denholm of Cairncross, Reston and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. The Artillery bombardment had failed to subdue the very strong enemy defences and the advance was met with a hail of machine gun and artillery fire. Part of the Objective, ” Peake Trench” was won but only a handful of men were left. These few heroes had to withdraw to avoid being cut off by an overwhelming counter attack. Casualties were very heavy. 8 Officers and 610 Other Ranks were killed wounded or missing. The photograph shows troops advancing over no mans land with very little cover and the colour image is of the peaceful Somme as it is today.

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