Second Lieutenant Robert Adam Ingles, 16th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in France on 21st March 1918, aged 23, on the first day of the German Spring Offensive ( Operation Michael ). He was the son of the Rev. Robert and Sarah Ingles of the Manse, Newtown St. Boswells and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. He had been employed by the Edinburgh Life Assurance Co. when he enlisted in the 1st/9th Royal Scots in 1914. He was commissioned into the 16th Battalion in May 1917.The Battalion suffered the full weight of the attack in that sector and the German artillery caused heavy casualties. However despite fierce assaults the lines were held until nightfall and the Battalion was relieved the next day by other Units of the 34th Division. Casualties on that day were 4 Officers and 11 Other Ranks killed and 3 Officers and 137 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 2 Officers and 68 Other Ranks were missing. The 16th R.S. was known as ” McRae’s Battalion” after Sir George McRae who had formed it in November 1914. Originally it comprised professional footballers from such clubs as Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Falkirk, Dunfermline and Raith Rovers together with many of their supporters. By 1917 there were not many of the originals left. The photograph is of Sir George McRae taken in 1914 and the other images are of Allied troops in defensive positions.
