Private Robert Leithead

Private Robert Leithead, “C” Coy., 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Flanders on 4th October 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, aged 30. He had been born in Duns and was the son of the late Richard and Margaret Leithead and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. He was employed as a draper in Duns when he enlisted in Summer 1916. He fell in the attack on Polderhoek Chateau which was a German fortress. The attack was only partially successful and both “C” and “D” Companies suffered very heavy losses losing 11 Officers and 438 Other Ranks killed and wounded. (Captain Machin of Coldstream won his Military Cross during this action ). He was educated at the Berwickshire High School, Duns and is also commemorated on the Memorial Tablet placed in the new Berwickshire High School, Duns. The photographs give some idea of the appalling conditions on the battlefield. The drainage systems in Flanders had been destroyed by the incessant shelling. The second picture shows captured German pillboxes in the “moonscape “.