Private Thomas Brunton

Private Thomas Brunton, 14th ( Service ) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action in France, aged 30, on the 28th November 1917 near Bourlon Wood during the Battle of Cambrai. He was the son of Isabella Brunton of Harehead, Selkirk and the late James Brunton and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, France. He had originally served with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers before being transferred to the H.L.I. This Battle saw the first use of the massed tank attack on good ground. Great holes were torn in the German lines and initially much ground was gained. Many of the tanks however were mechanically unreliable and as the Battle progressed fewer and fewer tanks were available allowing the Germans to counter attack and regain much of the lost ground. It was however a portent for the future of warfare.