Private Thomas Moffat

Private Thomas Moffat, 6th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France on 3rd May 1917 during the Battle of Arras and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. He had been born at Wooplaw, Ladhope and was the son of Agnes Moffat.  When he enlisted he had been working as a hedger at Harrietfield, Nenthorn. He fell in the disastrous night attack on the unreconnoitred German positions at “Greenland Hill”. Three Companies of the Battalion penetrated deep in the enemy lines and were cut off with only 50 men fighting their way back to British lines. Total casualties were 425. The photos show troops during the Battle and  the colour image shows the Memorial to the 9th ( Scottish ) Division of which the 6th K.O.S.B. was part. Beside it stands the remains of a German blockhouse which was captured by the Battalion earlier in the Battle. In 2006 due to the heavy traffic nearby the Memorial was moved to near the Pointe De Jour Military Cemetery where it stands today.