Lance Sergeant William Gillis

Lance Sergeant William H. Gillis, 14th ( Service ) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was killed in action in France on 27th March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive ( Operation Michael ) and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. He was the son of David and Harriet Gillis and his father had been Headmaster at Lempitlaw School, Sprouston, Kelso. The Battalion was part of the 40th Division. He had been born in Hawick, enlisted in Galashiels and lived in Kelso. Gillis had been a Gold Medallist at Hawick High School in 1913 and had finished his Junior Students Course in 1915 having obtained all his Higher Leaving Certificates. He enlisted the day after his final examination. The photos show troops in defensive positions.