Private Thomas Bennett

Private Thomas Bennett, 1st/4th (Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died from wounds, aged 30, suffered during the “Charge” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah, Gallipoli on the 12th July. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of James and Isabella, Bennett of 5 Rosebank Place, Galashiels. He had been a member of the 4th Territorial K.O.S.B. for many years before re-enlisting in 1914. 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. Few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of their sons that fateful day. He is buried in Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. ( his brother William also fell during the “Charge” see – above ). The first photo shows Achi Baba, the attack objective. 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.