Private David Hunter

Private David Hunter, 1st/4th (Border) Battalion, Kings own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged 19, on the 12th July 1915 during the ” Charge” on the Turkish trenches at Achi Baba Nullah. He had been born in Reston and was the son of the late Margaret Hunter of Heughhead farm, Reston and William Hunter of Kimmerghame Mains, Edrom, Duns. He had been employed at Heughhead farm and was a member of the Reston United Free Church when he enlisted in November 1914. He landed on the 15th June 1915 on Gallipoli. (His twin brother also fell during the War – see below). 12th July became known as the ” Black Day of the Borders” as out of the over 700 Officers and Men who began the attack only 70 unwounded men answered evening roll call. Few Border towns and villages had not lost at least one of their sons that fateful day. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli. The first photo shows Achi Baba, the ultimate objective, marked with a cross. This ” hill” dominated the landscape and was never captured. The second photo shows Borderers “going over the top” at Gallipoli and the third shows the battlefield in 1922.