Private Alexander Fair

Private Alexander Fair, 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 12th July 1915, aged 19, during the ” Charge ” on the three lines of Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He was the son of Peter and Isabella Fair of Victoria Cottages, Sprouston, Kelso and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. That day became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” because few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of their sons that fateful day. Out of over 700 attackers only 70 unwounded men answered Roll Call that evening. The Colonel and his Adjutant were both killed. The first photograph shows Achi Baba, the ultimate objective, marked with a cross. This insignificant looking pimple was the high ground overlooking the Battlefield and was an important objective of the Campaign although it was never captured. The second shows the Borderers attacking at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922.

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