Private William Fairbairn

Private William Fairbairn, 1st/4th (Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action during the “Charge “in Gallipoli 12th July 1915 on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah, aged 22. He had been born in Coldstream and was the son of George and Henrietta Fairbairn of 7 Leet Street, Coldstream and is commemorated with his fallen comrades on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. Before the war he had been employed as a painter with Mr Hogarth of Coldstream and was a member of “E” Coy. 4th Territorial K.O.S.B. He was molilised with the Battalion and went to Gallipoli in June 1915. 12th July became known as the ” Black Day of the Borders” as only 70 unwounded men answered roll call that evening out of over 700 Officers and men who had started the attack. Few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of her sons that fateful day.  The first photograph shows Achi Baba marked with a cross. This insignificant looking pimple  dominated the surrounding area and was never captured. The second photograph shows the Borderers going over the top at Gallipoli. The Battalion was part of the 155th ( South Scottish ) Brigade in the 52nd ( Lowland ) Division.