Private Robert Lees

Private Robert Lees, 1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died of wounds in France on 25th November 1917, aged 37. He was the son of John Lees, Whitmuir, Selkirk and the husband of Margaret Lees of Viewforth House, South Queensferry and is buried in Rocquigny  Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manacourt, Somme France.  His Headstone is inscribed ” As long As Life And Memory Last Dear Husband I Will Remember You “. He may have been wounded during the opening phase of the Battle of Cambrai on 20th November 1917. This was the first time tanks had been used en masse on good ground and a great advance was made through the German lines. The Battalion advanced behind the tanks to and reached their objective which was the village of Marcoing with little opposition and no counter shelling. Casualties were light with 1 Officer  and 26 Other Ranks wounded. The first photo shows the beginning of the tanks advance and the second shows one of the tanks in more detail.