Private Alexander Bunyan

Private Alexander Bunyan, “A” Company 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action, aged 21, on 12th July, 1915 during the ” Charge ” on the Turkish positions at Achi Baba Nullah, Gallipoli. He had been born in Melrose and was the son of Alexander and Christine Bunyan of Sprouston Cottages, Newtown St. Boswells and is commemotated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.  Before the War had been employed in Langlands Mill, Newtown and being a Territorial he was mobilised with the Battalion in August 1914.  Over 700 Officers and Men took part in the attack on that fateful day and at evening roll call only 70 unwounded Men answered. It became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” as few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of their sons. The first photo shows Achi Baba marked with a cross. This “hill” dominated the battlefield and was never captured. The second shows the Borderers attacking at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922.