Corporal John Wightman

Corporal John Wightman, 7th/8th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died in the 10th General Hospital, Rouen from wounds received during the Battle of Third Ypres on 3rd August 1917, aged 20. He is also commemorated on the Whitsome War Memorial. He had been born at Blackburn, Grantshouse and  was the son of John and the late Janet Wightman of Spital Mains, Hutton and Greenhead, Reston and is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Extension, Rouen, France. Before enlisting he had been employed as a ploughman at Whitsome Laws farm. He was wounded on the opening day of the Offensive on 31st July during the Battle of Pilckhem Ridge. The Objectives were captured but with 57 dead and 240 wounded. The photos show troops during the early stages of the Battle.