Private Robert Blaikie

Private Robert Blaikie, 8th ( Service ) Battalion, Black Watch. He was killed in action in France, aged 31, on 9th April 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Arras. He had been born in Chirnside and was the son of James and Elizabeth Blaikie of Kelloe Mains, Edrom.  He is buried in Cabaret-Rouge Cemetery, Souchez, France where his Headstone is inscribed ” Ever Remembered By His Father, Mother Brothers And Sisters “.  He had enlisted in the 10th Battalion in Swinton  and had gone to France and then Salonica in December 1915. He had returned from there to the 8th Battalion. The Battalion objectives on the “Black” and “Blue” Lines were stormed and captured but with losses of 5 Officers and 50 Other Ranks killed and  6 Officers and 147 Other Ranks wounded. By nightfall the position was consolidated and the Cameron Highlanders and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders passed through to attack the German strongpoint of Athies. The photographs show British troops accompanied by a ” Wee Pal ” in the main street of a captured village near Arras.