Private David Cockburn

Private David Cockburn, 1st/5th (Dumfries and Galloway), Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Palestine, aged 38, on the 19th April 1917 during the Second Battle of Gaza. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of David and Euphemia Cockburn of Wilderhaugh, Galashiels and the husband of Christina Cockburn of 63 High Buckholmside, Galashiels. He had been employed as a mill worker in Galashiels when he enlisted and landed in France with the 6th Battalion. At some point he was transferred to the 5th Battalion and posted to Palestine. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial. He fell min the attack on the Turkish positions on “Outpost Hill”. The Battalion, under heavy machine gun fire, managed with great gallantry to break through the wire entanglements and stormed the redoubt. However weakened by heavy casualties they were unable to hold on against a strong counter attack. Three time the position was taken then lost until the only reserve , the 4th K.O.S.B., was ordered into the attack.( see under Walter Cochrane). Casualties in the 5th K.O.S.B. were heavy. 11 Officers and 99 Other Ranks were killed and 8 Officers and 226 Other Ranks were wounded. The photos show Borderers in Palestine in 1917.