Private John Tyson

Private John Tyson. 7th ( Airborne ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Holland ,aged 20, on the 22nd September 1944 during Operation ” Market Garden” at Arnhem and is commemorated on the Groesbeek Memorial. He had been born in Selkirk in 1924 and was the son of William and the late Janet Tyson of 46 Tower Street, Selkirk. He was a noted sportsman and a boxer who had joined the Territorial K.O.S.B as a boy. He was employed with the Forestry Commission until he was old enough to enlist in the 7th K.O.S.B. He fell during that part of the Operation which was the assault on the river bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. His Battalion was landed by Horsa gliders ( see photo) west of the village of Wolfheze with a total strength of 740 all ranks. At Johannahoeve and later at White House they were surrounded by superior forces equipped with tanks. After some ferocious combat the remnants of 4 Officers and 72 Other Ranks from the over 750 All Ranks who had landed were withdrawn West of the Rhine. ( Willie Kerr from Coldstream, pictured below, was one of the few who made it back over the Rhine ). This was the Battalion’s first and only Battle. The photos show Airborne troops during the Battle.