Private James Elliot

Private James Malcolm Elliot, 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders. He was killed in action in France, aged 23, on the 9th May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. He had been born in Hawick and was the seventh son of William and Agnes Elliot of Borthwickbrae, Roberton. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg, Pas de Calais, France. (His brother Norman also died during the War – see below ). In the face of intense machine gun fire and strong defences, unsubdued by the artillery bombardment, the Battle was a complete failure with 11,000 casualties and no ground gained. The Camerons who were in the first wave of the 1st Brigade in the 1st Division suffered 249 casualties in killed wounded and missing including 9 Officers. The photos were taken before and during the Battle.