Private Robert Cameron

Private Robert Cameron, 1st/4th (Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged 20, on the 12th July 1915 during the “Charge” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of John and Isabella Cameron of 24 Island Street, Galashiels. Before enlisting he had been employed in Galashiels as a tailor. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. 12th July became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” as out of the over 700 Officers and Other Ranks who began the attack only 70 unwounded men answered evening roll call. Both Colonel McNeile from Bowden and his adjutant Captained Lang from Newstead were among the fallen. Few Border towns and villages had not lost one of their sons that fateful day. The first photo shows Achi Baba the objective of the attack. This “hill” dominated the battlefield and was never captured. The second shows the K.O.S.B. going over the top at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922.