Private John Gethin

Private John Gethin, 1st/9th (Highland) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in Belgium, aged 27, on the 12th April 1918 during the German Spring offensive on the River Lys. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of the late John and Helen Gethin formerly of Bridge Street, Galashiels and the husband of Catherine Gethin of 8 St. Michael’s Wynd, Peebles. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Flanders, Belgium. The Battalion came under heavy pressure from the right flank on the 12th but by making contact with the 8th Gordon Highlanders and with assistance from the 8th Argylls managed to withdraw to a new line and halt the day’s reversals. April casualties for the Battalion were18 killed , 142 wounded and 144 posted missing. Some of the missing may have become prisoners. The Battalion was part of the 51st (Highland) Division until 1st June 1918 when it was transferred to the 15th (Scottish) Division. After the War an impressive Memorial was erected to commemorate the 51st. It was erected in Newfoundland Park on the Somme which was captured when the Division stormed the strong German positions in Beaumont Hamel on the 13th November 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The photos show troops in defensive positions in April 1918.;