Private Charles Thomson

Private Charles Thomson, 1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France on 30th November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai, aged 22. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Graham Thomson of Cessford, Roxburghshire and is buried in Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-Le-Grand, Somme France, He fell in an assault to try and stem the German counter attack in the Marcoing sector and succeeded in forcing the enemy back over 2000 yards. The Regiment referred to this fight as ” The St. Andrews Day Battle”. The Regimental history states that ” casualties were not excessive “. 8 Officers and 130 Other Ranks of whom 55 were killed. Cambrai waas the first time Tanks had been used en masse and had shattered the German lines in many places although in the end much of the captured ground was retaken . His Headstone is inscribed ” Not My Will But Thine Be Done St Luke 22 Ch.42V” This was the first Battle where tanks were used en masse ( 437 ) and on good ground to effect a break through the German defences. The photographs were taken during the Battle.