Private James Purves

Private  James Matthew Purves, 8th ( Service ) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action in France on 25th September 1915 on the first day of the Battle of Loos, aged 22. He had been born at Marshall Meadows, Berwick-upon-Tweed and was the son of William and Hester Purves of New Ladykirk, Ladykirk, Berwickshire. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Dud Corner, Loos, France.  Before enlisting in November 1914 he had been employed as a horseman at Gainslaw Hill, Paxton.The Battalion was part of the 15th ( Scottish ) Division which suffered heavy casualties as one of the spearhead attacking Divisions.  The first photograph shows an actual attack with the troops advancing into a cloud of gas and smoke.  This day was the first time the British Army had used gas in the War. The second shows the village of Loos after its capture that day and the artist’s illustration depicts Highlanders at Loos led by their pipers.