Private George Cockburn

Private George Fisher Cockburn, 16th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in France, aged 29, on the 1st July 1916 on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme.  He had been born in Duns and was the son of Peter and Margaret Cockburn of 16a Bridgend, Duns.  He had served his apprenticeship in Duns as a draper and was living in Selkirk when he enlisted in December 1914. He is buried in Gordon Dump, Cemetery, Ovillers-La-Boiselle, Somme, France.  ( His brother Peter was wounded in the same attack but survived the War as a member of the Tank Corps ).The Battalion, known as “McRae’s Battalion”, had been raised by Sir George McRae in November 1914 and recruited from professional footballers from Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Falkirk, Dunfermline, Falkirk and their fans. They were joined by players and fans from amateur sides such as Dalkeith Thistle, Linithgow Rose and Newtongrange Star amongst others He fell in the attack towards La Boiselle which gained little at very heavy cost. The German defences were unrepressed  and machine guns took a heavy toll. 20 Officers and 790 Other Ranks had started the attack. From 1st-4th July 7 Officers were killed with 6 wounded. in addition 460 Other Ranks were killed wounded or missing. ( 3 of Hearts first team players were killed in the 1st July ). The photo shows troops advancing across a very wide “no mans land” with little cover.