Private Thomas Wood Whillans, 6th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died from gas poisoning in France, aged 34, on the 17th April 1918 suffered during the German Spring Offensive on the River Lys. He had been born in Maryport, Cumberland in 1885 and was the son of John and the late Elizabeth Whillans of Hawick. He was the husband of Betsy Whillans of 32 Curror Street, Selkirk and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France where his Headstone is inscribed ” To Memory Ever Dear”. Before enlisting he had been employed in the St Mary’s Mill, Selkirk. He died from gas poisoning in the 54th ( London) General Hospital, Wimeruex. The photos show Allied troops during the Offensives.
