Corporal James Hume

Corporal James Murray Hume, 1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Belgium, aged 20, on the 11th April 1918 during the German offensive on the River Lys. He had been born in Jedburgh and was the son of  James and Margaret Hume of 14 Exchange Street, Jedburgh.  Before enlisting on the outbreak of War ( underage) he had been employed as an apprentice tailor in Jedburgh. In August 1915 he was promoted to Lance Corporal in the signal section of the 2nd/4th K.O.S.B. Later he joined the 1st Battalion in France. On the 11th April the Battalion in positions near Estaires came under heavy pressure but resisted stoutly until forced to retire due to breaches on the flanks. Casualties were heavy with3 Officers and 17 Other Ranks killed and 8 Officers and 207 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 4 Officers and 243 Other Ranks were posted missing. ( Some of the missing would likely have been captured). He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Flanders, Belgium. The photos show Allied troops in defensive positions during the fighting.