Private Robert Todd

Private Robert Todd, 1st/5th ( Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Palestine, aged 22, on the 13th November 1917 and is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel where his Headstone is inscribed ” One Of The Best he gave His Young Life For Others”. He had been born in Liberton, Edinburgh and was the son of Robert and Jessie Todd of Burnhouse, Stow and Corsehope, Heriot. Before enlisting in June 1915 he had been employed as a ploughman at Borderhouse Mains. he had originally enlisted in the 1st Battalion K.O.S.B. and had joined them at Gallipoli, Aftere the Battalion moved to France in March 1916 he was wounded and evacuated home. After recovery he was posted to the 1st/5th Battalion in Palestine. where he was again wounded during the Second Battle of Gaza in April 1917.He was back with the Battalion soon afterwards but fell during the successful assault and capture of the Turkish held village of El Mughar. Casualties were 1 Officer and 20 Other Ranks killed and 2 Officers and 110 Other Rank wounded. Hundreds of Turks were captured together with several artillery pieces and machine guns. The photos show Borderers in Palestine in late 1917. The three soldiers are Alec Lawrie, Willie Cockburn and Jim Murray all of whom played football for Coldstream F.C.  Jim Murray went on to win a Scottish Amateur Cup Winners  Medal with Coldstream in 1925.