Private John Whitehead

Private John Whitehead, 6th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France on 27th March 1918 during the German March Offensive ( Operation Michael ) aged 19. He had been born in Duns and was the son of John and Alice Whitehead of 57 Castle Street, Duns and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Pozieres, France. On that date the Battalion , in position on the Albert-Dernacourt Road, repulsed a very heavy German attack. Since the opening of the Offensive on 21st March 1918 3 Officers and 26 Other Ranks had been killed with 10 Officers and 177 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 189 men were posted missing although many of these men would have been captured. This loss represented 44% of the strength as at 21st March. He had enlisted in 1915 but was discharged as under age and had to wait until 1917 before re enlisting. He was educated at the Berwickshire High School, Duns and was a clerk in the National Insurance Office when he originally tried to enlist. He is also commemorated on the Memorial Tablet placed in the new High School, Duns. The photographs show Allied troops preparing to resist the German advances.

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