Private Richard Turnbull

Private Richard Lillico Turnbull, 1st/4th ( Border) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died of wounds, aged 39, in Palestine on 20th April 1917 and is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Gaza, Israel. He had been born in Selkirk and was the husband of Margaret Turnbull of Hangingshaw, Yarrow and Green Street, Galashiels. He had enlisted in Galashiels. He was mortally wounded on 19th April during the Third Battle of Gaza The Battalion was tasked to capture the Turkish positions at” Outpost Hill” which they did after the attack gallantly led by Major Wattie Forrest of Kelso  but having suffered heavy casualties in the face of fierce Turkish counter attacks and running out of ammunition had to retire to previously won positions. Casualties were 6 Officers and 44 Other Ranks killed and 9 Officers and 152 Other Ranks wounded. The photographs show Borderers in Palestine in 1917.