Private Thomas Fairbairn

Private Thomas Blackie Fairbairn, 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He died from wounds in France on 9th May 1915, aged 19, during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. He had been born in Bonnyrigg and was the son of Robert and Margaret Fairbairn of New Cottages, Roxburgh, Kelso and is buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg l’Avoue, France. He fell in the attack on the strongly held positions on Aubers Ridge where his Battalion suffered very heavy casualties of 21 Officers and 509 Other Ranks. ( The Battalion was part of the Dehra Dun Brigade in the Meerut Division which consisted of Regular Army Units ). The Battle, which lasted only one day, was a complete failure which cost the British Army over 11,000 casualties for no gain whatsoever.