Private Robert Bruce

Private Robert Bruce, 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action in France, aged 35, on 11th April 1917 during the Battle of Arras and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. He had been born in Kelso and was the son of Robert and Margaret Bruce of 1 Jamieson’s Entry, Kelso  and the husband of Lilian Horseburgh ( formerly Bruce ) of 122 Roxburgh Street, Kelso. Before enlisting in July 1916 he had worked as a butcher in the Town. He fell in an unreconnoitred attack over open ground on the notorious Chemical Works. The barrage was weak and the German defences untouched. 12 Officers and 42 Other Ranks took part in this heroically suicidal attack and 12 Officers and 363 Other Ranks became casualties. Some few men under Lieutenant Donald MacIntosh did capture a trench and although wounded organised its defence until mortally wounded. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions that day. The photograph shows a group of Seaforths checking a dugout in a captured German trench and other British troops during the Battle.

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