Private George Collins

Private George Collins, 7th/8th (Service) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died from wounds in France, aged 21, on the 15th September 1916 during the battle of the Somme. He had been born in Lauder as George Collins Shiels and was the son of Jemima Riddle and William Riddle of Hunter Square, Galashiels. He had enlisted in July 1915 and joined the 7th K.O.S.B. in France in October 1915. He is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, Somme, France. It is probable he was wounded on the very successful attack and capture of the village of Martinpuich which took place on the 15th. The cost was 9 Officers and 280 Other Rank casualties. ( The 7th and 8th Battalions K.O.S.B, had been amalgamated in May 1916 ). The photos show Scots troops on the Somme. His Headstone is inscribed “Blessed Are The Poor For Theirs Is the Kingdom Of Heaven”