Private William Sanderson

Private William Sanderson ,1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 12th July 1915 during the “Charge ” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah, aged 35. He had been born in Norham and was the son of Mary and the late Robert Sanderson of North Back Lane , Norham and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He is also commemorated on the Norham War Memorial. He had served several years with 2nd Volunteer Battalion K.O.S.B. and before re-enlisting in December 1914 he was employed as a tailor in Coldstream with Mr J. Hardie and resided in Lennel Newtown, Coldstream. That fateful day became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” as only 70 unwounded men answered Roll Call that evening out of over 700 Officers and Other Ranks who had begun the attack. Few Border towns or villages had not lost at least one of their sons that day. The first photograph shows Achi Baba marked with a cross, the second shows the Borderers going over the top and the third shows the battlefield in 1922. This insignificant looking pimple dominated the surrounding battlefield and was never captured. The second photograph shows the Borderers going over the top at Gallipoli. The Battalion was part of the 155th ( South Scottish ) Brigade in the 52nd ( Lowland ) Division.