James Charles Purves was one of 'the 300' who died in the Charge of the Light Brigade, the famous charge of British cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War, immortalised in Lord Tennyson's poem.
Purves, raised at Lennelhill, is mentioned on a headstone in Lennel Kirk Yard, although he is not buried there. A plaque is to be placed in Coldstream Parish Church and it is hoped to tidy up the headstone with his name on it in Lennel Kirkyard.