Private James Sanderson

Private James Sanderson, 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 12th July 1915, aged 31, during the ” Charge ” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of Alexander Sanderson of Coalmarket, Kelso and husband of Margaret Sanderson of 10B Scotland Street, Edinburgh. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. That fateful day cost the Battalion over 550 casualties and became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” as few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of their sons. The first photograph shows Achi Baba marked with a cross. This “hill” dominated the battlefield and was never captured. The second shows the Borderers attacking at Gallipoli and the third shows the Battlefield in 1922.

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