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The King's Own Scottish Borderers
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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar greatThe King's Own Scottish Borderers
The King's Own Scottish Borderers can be traced back to 1698. During the Great War 7,740 men of The King's Own Scottish Borderers were killed in action or died of wounds, and 4 Victoria crosses were awarded to men of this regiment. Today the regiment is part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Battalions during the Great War.
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd (Reserve) Battalion
- 1/4th (Border) Battalion
- 2/4th (Border) Battalion
- 3/4th Battalion
- 1/5th (Dumfries & Galloway) Battalion
- 2/5th (Dumfries & Galloway) Battalion
- 3/5th Battalion
- 6th (Service) Battalion
- 7th (Service) Battalion
- 8th (Service) Battalion
- 9th (Reserve) Battalion
- 10th (Service) Battalion
- 4th Battalion
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Dec 2011
Please note we currently have a large backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site.
Those known to have served with The King's Own Scottish Borderers during the Great War.
Select a story link or scroll down to browse those stories hosted on this site.
- Pte. Reginald Binns (d.30th July 1916) Read their Story.
- Pte. Robert Casey Read their Story.
- Pte. Robert Casey Read their Story.
- Pte. William Bisset Donaldson (d.17th July 1915) Read their Story.
- Private John Kilbride (d.23th Jul 1918)
- Pte. Thomas McKinley Read their Story.
- Pte. James Quinn (d.15th Sept 1914) Read their Story.
- Pte. Andrew H. "Dan" Rule MM. (d.17th Sep 1918) Read their Story.
- Pte. Patrick Sullivan (d.28th Sep 1916) Read their Story.
- William S Wark (d.3rd May 1917) Read their Story.
- C.S.M. Charles Wilson (d.Aug 1914) Read their Story.
If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch.
Pte. James Quinn 2nd Btn (d.15th Sept 1914)
This is the story of one man in what was called a contemptible little army Jimmy Quinn had been away for 6 years in India and returned home to marry his sweetheart Emmilene Ryan. He took a civilian job mining and in the summer of 1914, a child was born named Constance and then war was declared. He answered the call to arms and soon he was at Colchester, awaiting the move to France which came all to soon.From the ferry they marched to Mons, ironically fighting Germans among the coal heaps of that area. They were told to retreat, he fought at Le Cateau where they say the dead were piled shoulder high and from there they moved to near the River Aisne. On the night of the 14th/15 September 1914 he went missing, believed dead in The Battle of the Aisne. His body was discovered in 1920, his regiment was known by his silver cap badge of the K.O.S.B, his details by the fact he had two identity discs, the composite one which had perished and a metal one soldiers bought in the markets of India, which he also wore. He and one other KOSB known only to God, lie among about 12 soldiers of Britain in a french military cemetery in Crouy Vauxrot a small village near Soissons.
His descendents were one daughter, Constance who never knew her father 2 Grand-Daughters and their children, one of which like his ancestor Jimmmy Quinn has joined the British Army. Jimmy was my Uncle, he was born in 1888 and my father told me of him he was the youngest of a large family, he kept his memory alive and I have tried to continue that by my interest in genealogy.
Pte. Thomas McKinley Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Our grandfather Thomas McKinlay lived in our house in Ayr, till he died in 1946. I grew up to stories about India, Lord Roberts and the famous march in 1880 from Kabul to Kandahar. I have a record of his marriage to our grandmother in 1894 but I have never been able to find substantial records of his life prior to this date.Another story I was told when I was growing up, is that it was said during WW1 he coloured his hair black, enlisted, then washed the black out and came home. I always thought this was just a story till I was using Ancestry search and found 9 pages of his WW1 military history.
He enlisted in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers on the 13th Oct 1914 in Dalmillington, regimental #8323, his age was listed as 34yrs. The history sheet shows my grandmother's name and where they lived it also listed my mother name [Flora]. He was discharged 22nd Dec 1914 as not suitable for service, they were unsure if his real age was 44 or 49, although Lieut Colonel A.W. Pennyman of the KOSB in Berwick wanted to retain him
I also have a picture of him in an army uniform which I think may be around that time, but I can't identify the cap badge. These records did give me further history on him . He served in the Scots Fusiliers #1923, 7yrs 127dys with the colours and 4yrs, 238dys in the reserve , discharged in 1898. Although I have this info its difficult to get more records from these days.
Pte. Andrew H. "Dan" Rule MM. 1st/4th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.17th Sep 1918)
Private Andrew H. Rule was in the Machine Gun Section of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 1st/4th Battalion. He was reported killed in action on 17th September 1918. He was the third son of the late Robert Rule and of Mrs. Rule, Hawick, and the grandson of the late John Rule, Inspector of Poor. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.Private Rule's uncle, Private Harry Rule, was lost at sea on 1st January 1917 when SS Ivernia was torpedoed and sunk near Cape Matapan, Greece.
Pte. William Bisset Donaldson 1/4 Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.17th July 1915)
My great uncle, William Donaldson was wounded at Gallipoli on 12/07/1915 and died of his wounds on HMHS Astruias on 17/07/1915. He was buried in Alexandra, Chatsby Cemetry, Egypt. He joined the 4th Bn The King's Own Scottish Borderers, Territoral Force on 17/11/1913.
Pte. Reginald Binns 2nd Btn. Runner Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)
Reginald Binns, born in Leeds, was my Great Grandmother's brother. He joined up in March 1916, along with his brothers, Clifford and Sydney. Clifford and Reginald both joined with Kings Own Scottish Borderers before being transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Before his posting in June, Reginald married his fiancée, Edith Argyle. He was then sent to France with the 2nd Battalion. He was assigned the job of a runner, meaning he had to run between trenches to carry messages, often with German fire waiting for him.As far as I know, the Royal Scots were involved in the Battle at Guillemont, France. An offensive was launched on 30th July, 1916. A group of Royal Scots Fusiliers were caught by German troops and killed. I believe Reginald was killed either here, or in a nearby battlefield as he went missing, presumed dead on this day. He was 23 years old. His body was never found, and his name is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme. However, recent research has led me to believe that his body is buried in an unmarked grave in Guiellmont Road Cemetery.
His wife, Edith remained a widow for over 7 years, before marrying Thomas Sandells. They together had a child who they named Reginald. In addition to this, Clifford also had a son who he named after his brother Reginald. However, this Reginald was killed at the Battle of Monte Cassino, 1944.
It was only after visiting Theipval last year that I began my research into Reginald, with only a photo and family memories. I would greatly appreciate any help into Guillemont or the 2nd Battallion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Pte. Robert Casey 1st & 3rd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
Robert Casey. Pte 6371 K.O.S.B, enlisted 22 April 1912 as Pte 3rd Special Reserve K.O.S.B. Mobilised 8th August 1914 Berwick, B.E.F France 11th September 1914 17th October 1914 with 2nd K.O.S.B home 18th October 1914 {reasons not known} but likely illness.K.O.S.B Depot 18th October 1914
1st Febuary 1915 {on depot roll so probably in hospital}
3rd K.O.S.B 2nd Feb 1915-2nd of July 1915 Mediterranean Expedition Force Gallipoli
3rd July 1915-9th March 1916 with 1st K.O.S.B. EXpeditionary Force France
10th March 1916- 7th July 1916 K.OS.B.
Wounded 1st day of the Battle of the Somme.
Home 8th July 1916-23rd Feb 1918 disharged no longer physically fit age 23 years.
This is my grandad, he died in 1939 due to the wounds he received on the Somme that day.
None of grandad's grandchildren ever got to meet or see him. His first grandchild was born the same year he died. I can't help but wonder if all those years ago he had a photo taken with a mate or mates and it's hidden away some where or still proudly hanging. My grandad was from Stockton-on-Tees and lived at Housewifes Lane.
I have found that several young lads joined the K.O.S.B from our town. Grandad's mate was Patrick Sullivan he died, I believe, in 1915. There was also Tom Bowes living near to grandad same area of Stockton. He was also disharged due to wounds in 1918.
Wish by some miracle a photo of grandad would turn up, just feel one may be out there with my grandad proudly standing in his uniform.
He did just before he died join the Old Contemtables Assocciation this was in 1938.
I am appealing to all who had grandfathers serving in the K.O.S.B 1912-18 check those photos you have and perhaps you will find my grandad on one. All the best Derek
Pte. Patrick Sullivan 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.28th Sep 1916)
My grandad lived in Stockton-on-Tees, North East England. He was an apprentice riveter working for Ropners & Sons Ship Builders on the Tees.In 1912 he joined the K.O.S.B. and was in the 3rd Battalion Special Reserve. When the Great War broke out he was sent to France for reasons we don't know. He ended back at the Depot in Berwick in hospital, not mentioned if wounded or illness brought him back.
He was then sent with the 1st Battalion to Gallipoli then to France for the Somme Offensive. On the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme grandad fell badly wounded with bullet and shrapnel wound to left leg. He spent months in hospital operations and much probing by doctors until grandad said enough!!!
On June 6th at St. Mary's Church, Stockton-on-Tees he married Gran. She was Beatrice Warhurst Kirk.
In 1918 grandad was honourably disharged from the Army. He was much troubled by the wounds he recieved and just before he died in 1938 he joined the "Old Contemptibles Association". He died in 1939, the same year his 1st grandchild was born.
We, his grandchildren, never got to see our grandad. I have searched for old photos of him but as yet nothing turned up. I did find that his best mate joined about same time as grandad. He was Patrick Sullivan.
Just before the war broke out grandad and patrick had photos taken in their uniforms. This photo hung just 16 doors away from me when I was a young lad and never knew about it. Hoping for some small miracle this photo still exists.
Also know a few lads from Stockton-on-Tees in the k.o.s.b during the great war.
William S Wark 6th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd May 1917)
Wiliam was the son of Thomas and Marion Wark, of 545, Alexander St., Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. He was killed aged 19, has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. I am tracing family and would like to more about William.
C.S.M. Charles Wilson 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.Aug 1914)
My great uncle Charles Wilson, a C.S.M. in the 2nd K.O.S.B.was killed at Mons in the opening shots of W.W.1 in August 1914.His brother Bill was killed on on the 25th April 1915 on Lancashire Landing beach at Gallipoli. My great grandparents had previously lost a son in the Boer War in the 1st K.O.S.B. As they were an Army family they took the loss of 3 sons with stoicism.
Pte. Robert Casey 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
My Grandad Robert Casey was born in Stockton on Tees, Co Durham 1895, he worked as a Heaters Lad (Rivetters) with Ropners & Sons on the rRiver Tees, in 1912 he joined the army in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 3rd Battalion special reserve. At the out-break of the Great War, Robert was sent to join the 2nd Battalion with the BEF, 4 weeks after they landed in France in 1914. For reasons not known to me, my Grandad Robert at some time ended up back at the depot hospital Berwick upon Tweed, then he was sent with the 1st Battalion to Gallopli, he was there until campaign was over, then he was sent back into France for the Somme Offensive. On the 1st day of the Battle my Grandad fell badly wounded with bullet & shrapnel wounds to his left leg, many months in hospitals followed, operations and much probing of his wounds, until Grandad said enough, he was discharged from the K.O.S.B 1918. His medals indicate he was one of those men who would become known as the Old Contemtables. The wounds he received on the Somme that day would lead to his early death in 1939, a year before he died Grandad Robert applied to join the Old Contemtables Association and was accepted.We, his grandchildren never got to see or know our Grandad, no photo survived so we don't know what he looked like, I have spent many hours trying to find if any photos existed but no luck so far, in the last 2 years I have been doing my Casey ancestry and discovered we, have lots of Casey relations up in Scotland and Glasgow in particular, always hoped my Grandad being so close to the border might have went and visited relatives and had a photo taken. Perhaps some one reading this might have a Casey connection or a relative who served in the K.O.S.B with Grandad Robert? I still believe in miracles and hope a photo of Grandad Robert will turn up.
Recomended Reading.
Available at discounted prices.
John Ewing
The division’s record is graphically described in this history - what Field Marshal Lord Plumer in his foreword referred to as “a record of wonderful development of fighting efficiency.” There are useful appendices giving the Order of Battle, command and staff lists with the various changes; a table showing periods spent in the line, with locations; a table of battle casualties and the VC citations. The maps are good with adequate detail for actions to be followed.More information on:
History of the 9th (Scottish) Division
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