Corporal John Galbraith

Corporal John Galbraith, “E” Coy. 1st/4th (Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged 19 during the “Charge” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah on 12th July 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial , Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey.  He had been born in Swinton, Berwickshire and was the son of Alexander and Janet Galbraith of Leotholm Police Station. Before mobilisation he had been employed as a plumber with Mr G.C. Rutherford of Coldstream and was a member of “E” Coy. of the Territorial 4th K.O.S.B. He was mobilised with his Battalion and went to Gallipoli in June 1915.The 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 men who had begun the attack. Few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of their sons that fateful day. The Photograph shows Achi Baba marked with a cross. This seemingly insignificant pimple, however, dominated the Battlefield and was never captured. The second photograph shows the Borderers “going over the top” at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922. The Battalion was part of the 155th ( South Scottish ) Brigade in the 52nd ( Lowland ) Division.

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