Private Thomas Clark

Private Thomas Clark, 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 12th July 1915, aged 18, during the “Charge ” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He had been born in Darnick to Thomas and Jane Clark of Gattonside and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. On that fateful day from the over 700 Officers and men who had begun the attack only 70 unwounded Officers and Other Ranks answered Roll call that evening. The 12th July became known as the “Black Day of The Borders” as nearly every town and village had lost at least one of their sons. The first photograph shows Achi Baba marked with a cross. This ” Hill ” dominated the battlefield and was never captured. The second photograph shows the Borderers going over the top at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922.