PARISHIONERS in Peebles have been delving into the archives to help tell the story of the soldiers who are commemorated within their Church.

A plaque in St Peter's honours eight servicemen who gave their lives during the Great War.

And from next week another commemoration to the brave soldiers will be displayed outside the Eastgate building in the run up to the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

But the researchers are still looking for further help to provide a fuller portrayal of each of the church members who made the ultimate sacrifice a century ago.

Mike Betts from St Peter's Church told us: "We know very little about the eight soldiers commemorated on the plaque in our Church, but have been able to find out some information, including photos, from Dr Clement Gunn’s Books of Remembrance.

"We've also had assistance from the Royal Scots Museum and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

"We would be delighted, though, if anyone can add to the information we have."

The eight soldiers being honoured by St Peter's Church are...

James Amos - The son of William and Isabella Amos of 4 George Place, Peebles. He served as a signaller in 15th Canadians, and went out to France in January 1918. He was gassed, but not seriously, in February and continued to serve. He was killed by artillery fire on October 6, 1918 at the age of 24, just over a month before the end of the war, and was buried at Duisans British Cemetery, north-west of Arras.

Robert Coghill Boyd - A millworker, he had been in the TA before the war, was mobilised and left for France in November 1914, aged 18, serving as a Private in the Royal Scots, with the Army number 7386. He was wounded at battle of Festubert in May 1915, and died in hospital at Wimereux on May 21, 1915, aged 19. He is buried there. It appears that his father was WA Boyd, a Private soldier in 3/8th Royal Scots, and his mother Isabella Boyd lived at 77 Northgate, Peebles, though later she seems to have resided in Edinburgh. He appears to have had a younger brother and three younger sisters.

John Davidson - He was a regular soldier of 44 years service in various regiments and stations abroad, but was finally serving as a Lieutenant Quartermaster in 13th Highland Light Infantry. He died of pleurisy at Richmond Camp, Yorkshire on December 19, 1915, aged approximately 60. He is buried in Peebles Cemetery. His wife lived at St Elmo, Kirkland Street, Peebles.

John Foster - Aged 34, he had been a mason by trade. He had been in the TA, and was called up and sent to France with 1/8th Royal Scots in November 1914, with the Army number 7470. Serving with 3/8th Royal Scots, he developed rheumatism and was invalided home. Sadly he died of pneumonia on 2 December 1915, and is buried in Peebles Cemetery. He was survived by his widow Julia, four sons and one daughter (ages two-to-14), who had lived at 41 Northgate, Peebles.

Eric Gillett - Eric was apparently a nickname, his Christian names actually being Frederick Tremlow. He came originally from Bromley in Kent, but was working in Peebles when war broke out. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal West Kents, he was killed in France on 22 July 1916 whilst leading an attack, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was only 20 years old.

Albert Vickers Lamb - A warehouseman, he joined the Army Reserve in November 1915 at the age of 20. He was mobilised in March 1916, and served as a Private in the 12th Royal Scots, with the Army number 43058. He was reported missing at Mount Kemmel, France, on April 25, 1918. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. His mother lived at 79 Rosetta Road, Peebles.

Robert Mulholland - He was an Irishman from Belfast who had worked in Peebles mills. He was reported to be a poet, and his parents were living in California. Whilst serving as a Private in the Royal Scots, with the Army number 7395, he was wounded, as was Robert Boyd (above), at the battle of Festubert on May 16, 1915, and died on May 21, at the age of 28. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

Robert Wilfred McGill - He had worked for the Peeblesshire Advertiser, but enlisted in October 1914. He served in the Black Watch in France, then Egypt, and subsequently in Greece. As a Lance Corporal he was killed leading a bombing squad in Salonica on May 8, 1917, aged 27. He is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial in Greece. His father lived at West View, Peebles.

If you have further information on the soldiers contact Mr Betts on mandmbetts10@gmail.com