Private James Calder

Private James Calder, 1st/6th ( Territorial) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was killed in action in France on 9th April 1918, aged 39, during the German Spring Offensive on the River Lys. He had been born in Swinton, Berwickshire and was the son of Jessie and the late George Calder of Polwarth and Duns, Berwickshire and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Dud Corner, Loos, France. He was the husband of Annie Calder of Cappercleugh, St Mary’s Loch, Yarrow and of Linden Lea, St. Boswells. Before enlisting he had been a policeman with the Selkirk constabulary based at St. Mary’s Loch. He fell during the defence of the village of Lawe where his Battalion suffered heavy casualties. The photographs show Allied troops preparing to resist the German advances. The colour photo shows the impressive Memorial raised to commemorated the 51st ( Highland ) Division of which the Battalion was part. It was erected in Newfoundland Park on the Somme battlefield overlooking “Y” Ravine which was taken when the Division stormed and captured the very strong German positions in Beaumont Hamel on the 13th November 1916. A plaque on the Memorial reads in both English and Gaelic ” Friends Are Good On The Day Of Battle”.

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