Private Robert Davidson

Private Robert Moffat Davidson, 1st/4t (Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged 21, on the 12th July 1915 during the “Charge on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He had been born in Roberton, Roxburghshire and was the son of Matthew and Catherine Davidson of Todshawhaugh, Roberton and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. He had been employed as a forester at Gala House, Galashiels and was a member of the 4th Territorial K.O.S.B. He was mobilised with the Battalion and went to Gallipoli in June 1915 as part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division. 12th July became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” as only 70 unwounded men answered evening roll call out of the over 700 Officers and Other Ranks who had begun the attack. Few Border towns and villages had not lost at least 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 Borderers going over the top at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922.