Private Thomas Best

Private Thomas Best, 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was killed in action in France, aged 42, on the 13th March 1915 during the Battle oif Neuve Chappelle. He had been born in Jedburgh and was the son of Elizabeth and the late Andrew Best of Exchange Street, Jedburgh. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. He had been a Regular soldier and had enlisted in 1896 where he served in India. Here he had taken part in the storming of the Heights of Dargai where Piper Findlater had won the Victoria Cross. He also served in South Africa during the second Anglo-Boer War and was present during the siege of Ladysmith in 1900. After his seven years in the Reserve he was discharged from the Army in 1912. On the outbreak of War he re-enlisted in his old Battalion and went to France in February 1915. He fell in the attack on the German positions at Moulin du Pietre which cost the Battalion 4 Officers and 49 Other Ranks killed and 11 Officers and 179 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 1 Officer and 11 Other Ranks were posted missing.