Private Charles Brown

Private Charles Alexander Brown, 1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France, aged 40, on the 11th April 1918 during the German offensive on the River Lys. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of the late Charles and Catherine Brown of Galashiels. He had enlisted in Edinburgh in the 2nd/4th K.O.S.B. and was later posted to the 1st Battalion in France. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Flanders, Belgium. On 11th April the Battalion as part of the 29th Division was in positions north of Doulieu and faced overwhelming German attacks inflicting severe casualties on the attackers. A general retirement was eventually made and casualties were heavy. At evening on the 12th only 1 Officer and 150 Other Ranks answered the roll call. The photos show troops in defensive positions.