Private William Brockie

Private William Russell Brockie, 1st/4th (border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Palestine, aged 22, on the 19th April 1917 during the second Battle of Gaza. He had been born in Leith and was the son of the late Jemima and Robert Brockie and step son of Mary Brockie of 21 Magdala Terrace, Galashiels. He was living in Morebattle when he enlisted in November 1914 and serving at Gallipoli and Egypt before moving into Palestine in pursuit of the Turkish forces. He fell in the attack on “Outpost Hill” which cost the Battalion, 6 Officers and 44 Other Ranks killed and 9 Officers and 152 Other Ranks wounded. Despite great heroism the position could not be held in the face of mounting casualties, fierce counter attacks and a shortage of ammunition and the survivors retired to the British lines. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem War Memorial, Israel. The photos show the Borderers in Palestine in 1917.