Private William Robert Galbraith, 1st/4th ( Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. ( His name is not on the War Memorial but is on a plaque in Linton Kirk ).He was killed in action in Palestine, aged 24, on the 19th April 1917 during the second Battle of Gaza. He had been born in Sprouston and was the son of Thomas and the late Jane Galbraith of Graden, Linton. He fell in the attack on the strong Turkish positions on “Outpost Hill” led by the gallant Major Wattie Forrest of Kelso. Parts of the positions were captured by the Battalion and the 1st/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers but in the face of mounting casualties, a shortage of ammunition and fierce counter attacks a retirement had to be made back to British lines. On the way back they met Reinforcements and ammunition coming up but it was too late. Casualties were heavy with 6 Officers (inc Major Forrest) and 44 Other Ranks killed or missing and 9 Officers and 152 Other Ranks wounded. The photos show the Borderers in Palestine in 1917. He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Palestine.
