This page will contain mini-biographies of soldiers who served with other battalions of the King's Own Scottish Borderers during WW1. As with the corresponding 5th KOSB page, people may send information on their relative (with photo, if available), including family details and any stories relating to their service, and a brief biography will be inserted.
If you would like your relative's story included, then please get in touch via the contact form. Thank you.
Private Robert Anderson
Private, 14802, Robert Anderson, 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers
- drowned 13th August 1915, Aegean Sea, age 20
Born 1894, Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire. Youngest son of Gilbert, gardener, and Emily, Port Mary, Dundrennan. Educated at Dundrennan Public School. Unmarried.
Enlisted in KOSB, September 1914. Drowned on 13th August 1915, when the troopship, Royal Edward, was sunk on the way to Gallipoli with reinforcements for, among others, the 1st KOSB. Commemorated on Helles Memorial and on Dundrennan War Memorial.
The Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser, August 1915:
The death of this young soldier has brought many letters of sympathy to his father and mother. Among these are two from Mr and Mrs Henryson-Caird of Cassencary, and their son, Captain A.J. Henryson-Caird. Mr Henryson-Caird says he and Mrs Henryson-Caird can never forget the deep debt of gratitude they owed to the deceased soldier for what he did towards saving the life of their son at the time of the Solway boating accident (when the "Sirius" was burned). They felt very much for Mr and Mrs Anderson, and offered their sincerest sympathy.
Captain Henryson-Caird, in his letter, says: I shall never forget the debt of gratitude I owe to your son for his help in saving my life at the time I was so nearly drowned.... Mrs Anderson and yourself can always remember your son Robert with pride.
CQMS James Callander
CQMS James Callander, 1/5th King's Own Scottish Borderers
- killed in action 21st August 1915, Gallipoli, age 30
Born 1886, Maxwelltown, Kirkcudbrightshire. Eldest of seven sons born to George Callander, plumber, of Dumfries, and Elizabeth Galloway, of Maxwelltown. Family moved to Dalbeattie, where he was educated. Unmarried.
Enlisted in the KOSB in 1905 and spent nine years with the 1st Battalion, including four each in Egypt and India. Landed at 'Y' Beach, Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 and was through the Battles of Krithia, during which time he was captured by the Turks, but succeeded after a struggle in getting rid of his captors and returned to his regiment.
The battalion later embarked for Suvla Bay arriving there on the morning of 17th August. Three days later the 1st KOSB moved forward to the firing line between Chocolate Hill and Scimitar Hill. On 21st August, they supported the attack on Scimitar Hill with rifle and machine-gun fire. One officer and 25 other ranks were casualties. One of these casualties was Jim Callander. Buried in Green Hill Cemetery, plot II.A.20.
A letter written by CSM Alexander Muirhead (Dalbeattie), 'D' Company, 1st KOSB, states that:
"Jim and I were always the best of friends. We enlisted together, and had been like brothers for over nine years. He got his wish anyway, that when he got hit, he would get a good one, and be killed without any pain. His officer and he were killed by shrapnel. I am exceedingly sorry about it, for he had a promising career in front of him."
He was promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant a short time before his death.