Private Robert Kerss

Private Robert Kerss, 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action in France, aged 19, on the 9th May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. He had been born in Jedburgh and was the son of Margaret and the late Robert Kerss of Nisbet Hill, Crailing. He had been employed as a forester on the Monteviot Estate, Crailing before enlisting in October 1914, joining the Battalion in France in March 1915.  He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. The Battle had been fought to support a French Offensive in the Artois region but was a disastrous failure with no ground gained and very heavy casualties of around 11,000 Officers and Men. The photographs were taken during the Battle.