Private James Blaikie

Private James Blaikie, 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action in France, aged 18, on the 9th May 1915 during the battle of Aubers Ridge. He had been born in Ord, Northumberland and was the son of William and Margaret Blaikie of 6 Old Bongate, Jedburgh. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. Before enlisting in September 1914 he had been employed as a forester on the Hartrigge Estate, Jedburgh. His Battalion which was part of the Dehra Dun Brigade in the 7th ( Meerut ) Division failed to make any impact on the German defences in the face of intense machine gun and artillery fire. Our barrage was weak and ineffectual and the defenders had not been subdued. Battalion casualties were very heavy with 7 Officers and 131 Other Ranks killed and 10 Officers and 346 Other Ranks wounded. Overall the Battle was a complete failure costing the British Army over 11,000 casualties for no gains whatsoever. The photos show troops during the Battle. ( Image of Private Blaikie is courtesy of J. D. Smith ).