Private Robert Brown

Private Robert Brown ( possibly ) 7th Battalion ( Airborne ) Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in the Battle for Arnhem ” The Bridge Too Far” on 19th September 1944, aged 25. He was the son of Richard and Agnes Brown formerly of Purveshaugh, Earlston and is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Holland.  The Borderers landed by glider with a strength of 40 Officers and 700 Other Ranks. and were rallied to their companies by the pipers playing ” Blue Bonnets over the Border”. Their task was to clear the way for further parachute drops and glider landings. German resistance was however much heavier than expected and the Borderers fought a bitter action at the “White House” against superior forces which included tanks and assault guns. By 20th September strength was reduced to 270 although an anti tank guns destroyed one of the formidable Tiger tanks. The ” White House” had been lost and regained by a bayonet charge but with more casualties. Attack followed counter attack until by 23rd only 100 men were left unwounded. On the 25th orders were given to withdraw back across the Rhine where a roll call showed 4 Officers and 72 Other Ranks. ( Willie Kerr from Coldstream, pictured below, was one of the few who made it back over the Rhine). The photographs show the troops in action at Arnhem. This was the Battalion’s only action.

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