Private Martin Joyce

Private Martin Joyce, 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France, aged 29, on the 22nd July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial,, Thiepval, Somme, France. He was born in Selkirk in 1886 and was the son of the late Martin Joyce and Euphemia Joyce of Dunsdale Cottages, Selkirk and the husband of Elizabeth Joyce of 70 Bridge Street, Selkirk. He had been a Regular Soldier with the 1st Battalion K.O.S.B. until 1906 when he joined the Reserve. Before being recalled to the Colours he had been employed at both the Yarrow and Tweed Mills and played football for Selkirk F.C. Initially he was posted to his old Battalion at Gallipoli and moved with them to France in March 1916 where he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion. On 22nd July the Battalion was tasked to support an attack by the 14th Battalion, Royal West Kents on “Wood Lane” near the notorious High Wood. The attack was enfiladed by machine gun fire from High Wood and the attack failed with 2 Officers and 13 Other Ranks killed and 3 Officers and 110 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 29 Other Ranks were posted missing. The photo shows British troops attacking across a very wide and coverless no mans land and other scenes from the Battle.