Private John Shiell

Private John Shiell, 8th Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action on 25th September 1915 on the first day of the Battle of Loos, aged 28. He was the son of Alexander and Grace Shiell of Gladstone Terrace, Chirnside and is buried in Bullay-Grenay Communal Cemetery Extension. His Headstone is inscribed ” Greater Love Hath No Man Than This “.  8th K.O.S.B. was part of 15th ( Scottish ) Division and suffered 379 casualties on that day. He was the son of Alexander Shiell who had a tailors business in Chirnside.  He was in the Battalion Machine Gun Section using the Vickers water cooled gun in both defensive and offensive roles. The photograph shows part of the Loos Battlefield looking towards the German front lines.