Sergeant James Macpherson, 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. he was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged 19, 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 Donald and Mary Macpherson of 76 Castlegate, Jedburgh. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. He had been a Territorial with the 4th K.O.S.B. and was mobilised with them in August 1914 landing on Gallipoli with them and the rest of the 52nd ( Lowland ) Division in June 1915. 12th July became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” as out of the over 700 Officers and Men who began the attack only 70 unwounded Men answered evening roll call. Few Border towns and villages had not lost at least on of their sons that fateful day. 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 Sergeant Macpherson courtesy of J. D. Smith ).
