Private James Robinson

Private James Robinson, 9th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots ( The Dandy Ninth ). He was killed in action in France, aged 39, on 22nd March 1918 on the second day of the German Spring Offensives. He had been born in Lilliesleaf and was the son of James and the late Catherine Robinson and the husband of Mary Robinson ( nee Drummond ) of Eildon View, Lilliesleaf. He is buried in Marteville Communal Cemetery, Attilly, Aisne, France. Before enlisting in 1916 he had worked as a mole catcher and rabbit trapper. He fell in the fierce fighting near Massemy where the Battalion had to fall back to Villevecque and then to Beauvois to avoid being cut off by the German thrusts. During the period 21st – 31st March the Battalion lost 3 Officers and 45 Other Ranks killed and 15 Officers and 287 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 138 Other Ranks were missing most of whom became Prisoners of War. He had originally enlisted in the K.O.S.B. but after returning Home suffering from trench feet had been transferred into the Royal Scots upon his return to France. His Headstone is inscribed “Until the Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away” The Battalion was part of the 154th Brigade in the 51st ( Highland ) Division and after the war an impressive Memorial was raised in commemoration. It was erected over looking “Y” Ravine on the Somme where on the 13th November 1916 the Battalion stormed the strong German positions in Beaumont Hamel. A Plaque on the Memorial reads in both English and Gaelic ” Friends are Good On The Day Of Battle”. The photos show Allied troops in defensive positions.