Corporal John Robertson White

Corporal John Roberston White, 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 4th June, 1915 aged 25. He was a regular soldier with four years service and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. He had been born in Swinton, Berwickshire and was the eldest son of Mrs. Margaret White, East Hope Farm, Berwick upon Tweed. He fell in the Third Battle of Krithia which had been designed as a general British offensive to cut the Peninsula in two. Turkish positions were bombarded by two pre Dreadnought Battleships “Swiftsure” ( pictured ) and “Vengeance” before the K.O.S.B ( part of the 29th Division advanced on the Turkish positions. These however proved too strong and no mans land too wide for any success. Some trenches were captured and prisoners taken but gains were paltry and losses heavy. The photograph shows the Battalion going over the top that morning.