Private William Dumble

Private William Dumble, 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France on 3rd September 1916, aged 20, during the Battle of the Somme. He was the son of William and Isabella Dumble of 65 Middle Street, Spittal and is buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France where his Headstone is inscribed ” But As Long As Life And Memory Last We Will Remember Thee”. He fell in the failed attack on the strong German fortified positions in the farm at Falfont where a promised French bombardment failed to materialise as did their supporting attack. The outcome was entirely predictable and the heroic efforts of the Battalion wasted. 8 Officers and 146 Other Ranks were killed and 3 Officers and 138 Other Ranks were wounded. ( The Regimental history remains tight lipped about the French failures and the subsequent cost to the Battalion ). The photos show Scottish troops on the Somme and the colour image shows a peaceful Somme landscape today.