DURING a weekend of Remembrance, Gala Fairydean Rovers historians John Clayton and Graeme McIver take a look back at those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

ON October 4, 1925 one of the finest monuments in the country was unveiled by Field Marshall Earl Haig of Bemersyde.

The stunning Galashiels war memorial, designed by Robert Lorimer and constructed in the style of a Borders Peel Tower contains the names of over 600 men from Galashiels and District who never returned from the battlefields of World War One.

In total over 3,000 men and women from the town and surrounding areas enlisted to fight in the British Armed Forces during the conflict.

The majority of these were young men in the prime of their lives who made up the bulk of the town’s sporting teams, clubs and associations. The human cost was huge.

Gala Rugby Club alone lost over 30 of its members. Many of the enlisted young men played for the various football teams that existed in the town at that time including Gala Fairydean, Gala Rovers and Gala Amateurs FC.

The Border Telegraph reported on December 16, 1914: “...since the outbreak of the war very few Association matches have been played in the Borders. Only three clubs (Berwick Rangers, Gala Fairydean and Peebles Rovers) were fortunate enough in being able to raise full elevens but the former was soon forced to close its doors due to the scarcity of players and want of support. Gala Fairydean has played a few matches but has also been badly hit.

“Peebles Rovers is the only club left capable of raising the full complement of players, but only away League engagements are being fulfilled. At this time the Border Association usually meets for the purpose of drawing the Border and Dudley Cups but all clubs have replied that it is impossible to go on with cup ties this season owing to the scarcity of players...from the clubs associated with the Border Association, 166 men are doing their duty for their King and country.” Many of these players joined the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and took part in the ill-fated attack on Turkish positions in Gallipoli during July 1915. An incredible 230 men were listed as missing in action on one day. The Border Telegraph on July 12 reported “Among this number (of missing) are many well known sportsmen. Pte. William Bennett very well known in local cricket and football circles.

“For several years he played regularly for Gala Fairydean. Pte. Charles Keddie – a well known Gala Fairydean player. M Townsley, now resident in Coldstream, is an old Gala Fairydean player. Andrew Gray – Kelso player. James Sanderson – Kelso player and club secretary.” Both William Bennett and Charles Keddie were later confirmed as dead.

Throughout the four years of the war the local press regularly reported on the lives and deaths of footballers from Galashiels.

On June 30, 1916 the Telegraph stated, “Pte A Inglis, 2nd KOSBs who has been mentioned in dispatches for gallant and distinguished service is a well known Gala Fairydean footballer.” On August 8, 1915 the paper reported that, “A Rattray of the HLI who belongs to Galashiels has been wounded twice in France. He was a former Gala Fairydean player and was also a well known boxer in military circles in India where he served for several years.” On August 19, 1916 the paper informed the townsfolk, “Corporal James Laidlaw, Royal Scots. A member of Gala Rovers of whom he was sometimes captain, he also played occasionally for Gala Fairydean. Killed by a shell on 26/07/2016. 24 years of age.” On August 30, “Harold Smith, a former Gala Fairydean footballer has been killed in action. Smith, who belonged to Edinburgh, came to Gala Fairydean as a centre forward but was ultimately played on the right wing, where he showed brilliant form, so much so that he attracted the attention of the leading clubs and was transferred to Leith in 1913-14. He was an insurance agent and leaves a wife and one child.” Just after Christmas 1916 the Border Telegraph stated; “Pte. Andrew Turner, Cameron Highlanders. Killed on the 23/07/1916. Played for Gala Amateurs.” In his excellent book on the history of Gala Rovers, Cubbs Turnbull wrote; “In August 1914 ten Gala Rovers players signed up to serve their country as Britain went to war. One of them was Walter Forsyth who must be up there among the hardest footballers of all time. During the war he was bayoneted through one of his knees...despite walking with a limp – as he did for the rest of his life – it didn’t stop him from attempting a brief comeback after the war.” The book, “From Mossilee to The San Siro” also reported that C Eckford, an outside left with the Fairydean, sent a postcard to the club chairman Mr D Murray stating, “We are just out of the trenches for a rest. They are much drier now and better than wading knee deep. I suppose you would hear about D Nichol and I running up against each other. I have played in five games but I am turning very stiff. I met Fraser of the Civil Service yesterday.” Cubbs goes on to describe the fate of one Gala Rovers stalwart, Francis Salton. He served with the KOSB in France and was shot on April 25, 1917, “reports say that despite his terrible injuries, he didn’t give up and kept going to the bitter end. He died two days later. His name can be seen on the war memorial in Gala. He was only 21 years old.” Today as we watch two teams of young men in the prime of their lives do battle on the pitch at Netherdale we should remember a generation who gave their all on a different field.

In the song, “Hearts of Glory” by Scottish folk singer Craig Herbertson, written about the Sporting Battalion of the Royal Scots, one verse perhaps sums up what many of those young men felt...

Who cared for the Kaiser or Imperial gains Love of our country Duty or fame?

Between the whim of an airman and four feathers of shame we fought for the pals of our wee fitba team