Lance Corporal Robert Spottiswoode

Lance Corporal Robert James Spottiswoode, 7th Regiment, South African Infantry. He died of wounds in East Africa on 15th March 1916 aged 34. He had been born in Melrose to Robert and Mary Spotiswoode of Gattonside, Melrose and is buried in Taveta Military Cemetery, Kenya. He was an engineer to trade and had emigrated to South Africa to work in the mines at Johannesburgh. He was wounded in the Battle of Latema Nek ( in German East Africa) which was part of the general conflict between Britain and the German forces under General Lettow-Vorbeck which took place mainly in East Africa and lasted until the end of the War in November 1918. His Headstone is inscribed ” In Loving Memory Of Our Dearly Beloved Son Deeply Mourned”.