Private Richard Harkness

Private Richard Harkness, 2nd Battalion, Black Watch. He was killed in action in Mesopotamia, aged 26, on 22nd April 1916 and is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Amara, Iraq. He had been born in Castleton and was the son of the late Mary and Richard Harkness of 26 North Hermitage Street, Newcastleton.  He had been employed as a baker in Denholm when he enlisted in the 1st Black Watch in September 1914. He had been wounded during the Battle of Loos in September 1915 and evacuated home. Upon recovery he was posted to the 2nd Battalion and landed with them in Basra in December 1915. He fell during the third assault on the Turkish positions at Sannaiyat in a final attempt to lift the Turkish siege of the town of Kut. Despite several valiant attacks over shell and bullet swept open ground the Operation failed and Kut was forced to surrender. Again casualties were severe. 6 Officers and 132 Other Ranks were killed and 3 Officers and 181 Other Ranks were wounded. He had already been wounded at the Battle of Loos and before enlisting he had been been employed as a baker with Messrs Carruthers & Son of Denholm.