Private James Hutchison

Private James Hutchison, 12th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in France on 12th April 1917, aged 29. during the Battle of Arras. He had been born in Cockburnspath and was the son of George and Jane Hutchison and the husband of Sarah Hutchison of South Cheviot View, Chirnside and is buried in Athies Communal Cemetery Extension, Arras, France. His Headstone is inscribed ” He Gave To His Country His All “. Before enlisting in May 1916 he had been employed at Chirnside paper mill. He had originally enlisted in the 7th/8th K.O.S.B. but in France he was transferred to the Royal Scots. The village of Athies had been captured by 9th ( Scottish ) Division , of which 12th R.S. were part on 9th April 1917 which was the first day of the Battle.  The Battalion was the right assaulting Unit in the attack and pressed forward though its own artillery barrage to capture the “Black Line”. Most of the casualties were caused by the men running into the British barrage. The photographs show British troops accompanied by a tank in the main street of a captured village near Arras. The colour photograph shows the impressive Memorial raised to the 9th ( Scottish ) Division for the part they played in the Battle. It was erected at Point de Jour near Gavrelle. In 2006 due to the heavy traffic nearby it was moved to the Pointe de Jour British Military Cemetery nearby.