Robert Scott Age 20
Regimental No. 200408 Private 4th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers
(1/4 KOSB 6539) 155 Brigade 52 Lowland Division
Died from Wounds 17 November 1917 (wounded 13 Nov.)
Buried Deir el Balah War Cemetery
Personal Background
There were many Robert Scotts serving in WW1, but we have been unable to trace any who came from St. Boswells itself. Any relevant information to confirm identity would be appreciated.
This Robert was born in Melrose Parish, we presume in Newtown St. Boswells. In 1901 his father, also Robert, was a foreman spinner at Hall's mill and the family lived at 11 Langlands Place. The father had been in the village since 1891, when he is recorded boarding with another two young men at Sprouston Cottages, and working as a spinner.
The 1901 Census shows the father to have been born in Selkirk and the mother, Helen, in Galashiels. As the Newtown War Memorial was erected at around the same time as the one in St. Boswells, there would seem no logical reason for Robert jnr. to be commemorated in St Boswells instead of Newtown - unless they had perhaps a connection to one of the Churches in St. Boswells or Robert worked in the village? Robert was very young when he died and was not married.
Military Background
Sadly little information on him in relation to his war service is coming up and it is feasible that the records are amongst those lost during WW2. His initial regimental no. 1/4 KOSB 6539. However, on 13 November 1917, the 4 KOSB were ordered to capture Mughar, which lay 6 miles from the railway and its capture would place the railway at the mercy of the British. In eight waves of men, the Battalion advanced towards the gardens and village on the hill. A short while after 10.00, a sudden and dramatic change occurred. The Turks opened a heavy and accurate machine gun fire and poured shrapnel and high explosive over the advancing lines. Everywhere the bullets threw up clouds of dust and men began to fall. With short dashes they pushed forward until they had got into some wadis (ditches) within 400 yards of the edge of the gardens, where the advance was checked.
The men lay on the ground and began to return fire. The Turks were positioned on a slope and could fire down into the wadis, keeping the Borderers pinened down. Over 100 men had been wounded and several killed. The Yeomanry of the 6 Mounted Brigade, with drawn swords, galloped towards the Turks in the village. The Borderers were out of the wadis and charged. Soon they were involved in hand-to-hand combat with the Turks. The Turkish resistance waned and hundreds threw down their rifles and surrendered. El Mughar was in British hands by 17.00. Private Scott was one of the 137 men wounded. He was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station for treatment, but died 4 days later.
