Private James Richardson

Private James Richardson, 105th Coy., Machine Gun Corps. He was killed on active service in Palestine, aged 23, on 29th November 1917 during the advance against Turkish forces in Jerusalem. He had been born in Edinburgh and raised in Gattonside by Robert and Anne Richardson. (His father was employed as a gardener and coachman to Lady Brewster of Allerly House, Hoebridge, Gattonside ). He was an engineer to trade and a member of the 4th Kings Own Scottish Borderers territorials where he was a Battalion machine gunner. In March 1916 he was posted to the newly formed Machine Gun Corps section of the 52nd ( Lowland ) Division of which the K.O.SB. were part. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. The M.G.C used the Vickers Mk1 water cooled gun in both defensive and offensive roles.