Private James Welsh

Private James Welsh, 1st/4th ( Border ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Palestine, aged 27, on the 19th April 1917 during the Second Battle of Gaza. He had been born in Selkirk in 1891 and was the son of John and Alison Welsh of 29 Castle Street, Selkirk. After enlisting he had been posted to his Battalion in Egypt in 1916. He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Gazaq, Israel. He fell during the attack on the Turkish redoubt on ” Outpost hill”. The attack was gallantly led by Major Wattie Forrest of Kelso and the redoubt was captured. However high casualties, a shortage of ammunition and fierce counter attack forced a retirement back to British lines. Casualties were 6 officers and 44 Other Ranks killed and 9 Officers and 152 Other Ranks wounded. ( Major Forrest was mortally wounded on the parapet of the redoubt ). The photos show Borderers in Palestine in 1917. The men pictured all played football for Coldstream F.C. Jim Murray ( right ) went on to win a Scottish Amateur Cup winners medal with Coldstream in 1925.