Private William Elliot

Private William David Elliot, 1st/4th ( Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in Palestine, aged 19, on the 19th April 1917 during the Second Battle of Gaza. He was the son of Adam and Janet Elliot of Ladhope, Yarrow and Broadmeadows, Yarrowford and he is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. He fell in the attack gallantly led by Major Wattie Forrest of Kelso on the Turkish positions on ” Outpost Hill”. The Redoubt was captured but in the face of increasing casualties, a shortage of ammunition and fierce counter attacks the gains could not be held. 6 Officers and 43 Other Ranks were killed and 9 Officers and 155 Other Ranks were wounded. ( Major Forrest was mortally wounded on the parapet of the Redoubt ). The photographs show the Borderers in Palestine in 1917. The three Borderers pictured are Alec Lawrie, Willie Cockburn and Jim Murray, all of whom played football for Coldstream F.C. Jim Murray went on to win a Scottish Amateur Cup Winners Medal with the Club in 1925.