Lance Corporal Alexander Elliot

Lance Corporal Alexander Elliot, 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was a Regular Soldier and was killed in action in Belgium during the First Battle of Ypres on the 31st October 1914 aged 28. He had been born in Southdean, Roxburghshire and was the son of Robert and Marion Elliot of Southdean shooting lodge. He was the husband of Elizabeth Elliot of Bleachfield Road, Selkirk who he had married in Selkirk in June 1914 and he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. He had been employed as a mill worker when he enlisted in the 1st K.O.S.B. as a Regular in 1905. By 1914 he had left the Army but as a Reservist he was recalled to the Regiment and joined the 2nd K.O.S.B. landing in France with the B.E.F. in August 1914. He fell during the close quarter fighting fighting near the village of Messines. The positions were captured and the Germans forced back but a mistimed British artillery bombardment on the Battalion positions in Messines forced a retirement. Casualties were 2 Officers and 139 Other Ranks. The illustrations show British troops during the Battle.