Private Alexander Patterson

Private Alexander Patterson, 6th( Service ) Battalion,  Kings Own Scottish Borderers ) He was killed in action in France on 3rd May 1917 during the Battle of Arras, aged 30. He was the brother of George S. Patterson of Northfield, St Abbs, Berwickshire ( see above ) and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. He fell in the disastrous night attack on “Greenland Hill” when with no reconnaissance and a weak barrage three companies of the Battalion penetrated far into the German lines and were cut off by flank attacks when the troops on either side did not go forward Casualties were very heavy and losses amounted to 10 Officers and 413 All Ranks with only 50 men managing to return to the British lines. He had been born in Cockburnspath, lived in Coldingham and had enlisted in Berwick-upon-Tweed.  The photograph shows the Memorial to the 9th ( Scottish ) Division of which 6th K.O.S.B was part. Beside it are the remains of a German blockhouse captured by the Battalion earlier in the Battle. Due to heavy traffic it was moved in 2006 to the Pointe De Jour Military cemetery nearby where it now stands. The photos show troops during the Battle.

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