5th (Dumfries & Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers in the Great War
Project
The aim of this project is to publish an updated account of the battalion's deeds and endeavours during the Great War, with the emphasis placed on the human aspect of the conflict, i.e., the men who served and their families who waited anxiously at home.
'War History of the 5th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers' by Captain G.F. Scott-Elliot was published in 1928. Unlike a number of contemporary regimental/unit histories, Capt. Scott-Elliot's warmly written account does refer to the battalion's rank and file. The updated history will include more background on the men who took part in the 5th KOSB's campaigns, which included service on both the Eastern (Gallipoli, Egypt & Palestine) and Western (France & Belgium) Fronts. Of course, this will require a great deal of information on those who served and as many photographs of the men involved as can be found.
Most men in the 5th KOSB came from places within the battalion's pre-war recruiting area:
- A Company - Dumfries (detachment at Moniaive)
- B Company - Annan (detachments at Langholm and Canonbie)
- C Company - Lockerbie (detachments at Ecclefechan and Moffat)
- D Company - Sanquhar (detachments at Thornhill and Kirkconnel)
- E Company - Maxwelltown
- F Company - Dalbeattie
- G Company - Castle Douglas (detachments at Corsock, Gatehouse and Kirkcudbright)
- H Company - Newton Stewart (detachments at Wigtown, Creetown, Kirkcowan, Whithorn and Garlieston)
Over the last few months I have received help from a number of families whose relatives served in the battalion and to them I wish to express my sincere thanks. I hope that many more offers of help will be forthcoming.
How you can help
If anyone has photographs or information relating to any man thought to have served with the 5th (Dumfries & Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers during WW1, then please use the contact form to get in touch. Please note that these projects are not limited to those who died; information on all men and women who served will be very much appreciated.