Private George Pringle

Private George Pringle, 6th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France, aged 19, on 24th March 1918 during the German Spring Offensives ( Operation Michael ) and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Pozieres, France. He had been born in Newstead and was the son of Anabella Pringle. In 1911 he had been living with his Grand Mother and Mother at “Roselea” Cottage, Newstead but was living in Edinburgh when he enlisted in the 56th Training Reserve Battalion before being posted to the K.O.S.B. He fell in the fighting retreat from Epinette Wood over the Canal Du Nord  to Moslains, a distance of some 2 miles and hence to Maricourt. Between 21st March and 25th March when they were relieved casualties were 2 Officers and 26 Other Ranks killed and 10 Officers and 177 Other Ranks wounded. 1 Officer and 189 Other Ranks were posted missing. This loss represented 44% of the Battalion strength. He had been born and had enlisted in Edinburgh. The photographs show Allied troops preparing to resist the advancing Germans.