Private Adam Mack

Private Adam Douglas Mack, 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli. aged 18, on 12th July 1915 during the “Charge” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He was the son of Alexander and Janet Mack of Easter Langlee, Melrose and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. Before being mobilised in August 1914 with the Territorial Battalion, K.O.S.B. he had been working as a farm servant. 12th July 1915 became known as the “Black Day of the Borders” as few towns and villages did not lose at least one of her sons that fateful day. Over 700 Officers and Other Ranks had begun the assault but only 70 unwounded men answered evening roll call. The first photograph shows Achi Baba, the objective, marked with a cross. This “hill” dominated the battlefield and was never captured. The second shows the Borderers going over the top at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922.