Private James Hunter

Private James Hunter, 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged 29, on the 12th July 1915 during the ” Charge” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He had been born in Jedburgh and was the son of the late Peter and Sarah Hunter formerly of Duck Row, Jedburgh. ( He was the uncle of Alexander Hunter detailed above ). He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. 12th July became known as the ” Black Day of the Borders” as out of the over 700 Officers and Men who began the assault only 70 unwounded Men answered evening Roll Call. Few Border Towns and Villages had not lost at least one of their sons that fateful day. Both Colonel McNeile from Bowden and his Adjutant Captain Lang from Newstead were posted missing presumed killed. ( The author’s great uncle Corporal Jim Murray was wounded and spent 6 weeks in hospital in Alexandria before re joining the remains of the Battalion on Gallipoli ). The first photo shows Achi Baba the ultimate objective of the attack. This “hill” dominated the battlefield and was never captured. The second shows the Borderers going ” over the top” at Gallipoli. ( Photo of Private Hunter is courtesy of J. D. Smith ).

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