Private George Turnbull

Private George Turnbull, 1st/9th ( Highland) Battalion, Royal Scots ( The Dandy Ninth ). He was killed in action in France on 12th April 1918, aged 19 during the Battle of the Lys which was part of the German Spring Offensives. He was the son of Thomas Turnbull of 121 Roxburgh Street, Kelso and is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, Merville, France. He fell in the defence of Merville during the Battle. His Headstone is inscribed ” To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die”. The photos show British troops behind makeshift defences awaiting further German advances. the Battalion was part of the 154th Brigade in the 51st ( Highland ) Division and after the War an impressive Memorial was raised in its commemoration. It was erected on the Somme overlooking “Y” Ravine which was taken when the Division stormed and captured the strong German positions in Beaumont Hamel on the 13th November 1916.