Private James Forrest

Private James Forrest, 1st/4th (Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died from wounds in Palestine, aged 22, on the 23rd November 1917 and is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of James and Betsy Forrest of 228 Galapark Road, Galashiels. He had been employed at the Wilderbank Mill, Galashiels and was a Member of the Territorial 4th K.O.S.B. He was mobilised with the Battalion in August 1914 and went to Gallipoli in June 1915 as part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division. He then served in Egypt and Palestine. It is possible he was wounded as the Battalion marched towards the fighting at El Jib suffered some casualties from Turkish artillery. The photos show the Borderers in Palestine in late 1917.