Private James Edgar

Private James Edgar, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was killed in action in France, aged 21, on 23rd April 1917 during the Battle of Arras and is commemorated on the Arras, Memorial, Arras, France. On that day the Battalion was engaged with rest of the Thirtieth Division in the attack on the high ground overlooking Cherisy in the Sensee Valley. The attack failed and the Battalion suffered very heavy casualties with 10 Officers and 264 Other Ranks killed and 4 Officers and 195 Other Ranks wounded. He had been born in Whitsome and was the son of Robert and Maggie Edgar of Whitsome. Before enlisting in February 1916 he had been employed as a baker , having served his apprenticeship in Whitsome. The photos show troops during the Battle.