Description
Military Cross, GV, on ribbon and brooch pin 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medal, Lieut Thomas Ballantyne, Cameron Highlanders. From Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
1914-15 Star officially impressed: “S-15535, Pte. T. Ballantyne. Cam’n Highrs.”
British War and Victory Pair officially impressed: “Lieut. T. Ballantyne.” Some staining to front of victory and back of star.
With copy digital Officer’s service file (about 22 pages).
Military Cross announced in the London Gazette 1st January 1919.
Wounded in Action by a Gun Shot Wound to the head on the First Day of the Battle of Loos 25th September 1915.
One of the 7th Cameron’s most famous days where they fought on Hill 70.
“Lieutenant-Colonel Sandilands of the 7th Camerons arrived on the hill. Being the senior officer present, he took command and planted the Headquarters flag of his Battalion on the top. It was his business to recall the van of the advance, now lost in the fog and smoke of the eastern slopes, and to entrench himself on the summit. The Redoubt was now out of our hands and the line taken ran just under the crest on the west, and was continued North of Loos by the 46th Brigade. To retire the van was no light task. Two officers whose names deserve to be remembered, Major Chrichton of the 10th Gordons, and Major Barron of the 7th Camerons, volunteered for the desperate mission. They fell in the task, but the order reached the stragglers, and they began to fight their way back. In the midst of encircling fire it was a forlorn hope, and few returned to the British lines on the hill. All down the slopes towards Loos lay the tartans Gordon and Black Watch, Seaforth and Cameron, like the drift left on the shore when the tide has ebbed.” —John Buchan, in “Nelson’s History of the War” regarding the day.
Thomas Ballantyne was born on 15th July 1894 in Maxwelltown (now joined with Dumfries), Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.
His father Albert Heyndrick Ballantyne was a Journeyman Joiner, and his mother was Maggie (Maxwell).
Thomas was educated at Laureknowe School and then St Joseph’s College in Dumfries. Also having been educated at “Glasgow Street School” in Dumfries, being listed on their WW1 Roll of Honour.
When the war broke out in 1914, Thomas was beginning a Law Career working as a “Law Apprentice”.
He wasted little time and signed on with the Cameron Highlanders for the duration of the war on 18th November 1914 at Dumfries.
Joining 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, he got his chance to go out to the Front in France landing their with the BEF on 8th July 1915.
2 Months later the unit was engaged in the Battle of Loos, where he was wounded in action by a Gun Shot Wound to the head on 25th September 1915.
The regimental history notes in the aftermath of the fighting on that day.
“Without calling a proper Roll the men were numbered off, and it was found that there were 4 officers and 75 other ranks present out of 20 officers and 827 rank and file who had started off so proudly 24 hours earlier. Throughout the night and early morning stragglers kept coming in, and there were finally collected 6 officers and about 290 other ranks.”
Colonel Sandilands received the following letter from Colonel The Mackintosh of Mackintosh:—
“Invergordon, 12th October, 1915.
Dear Sandilands,
“Let me express the feelings of all here. We are proud of the dash and gallantry shown by the 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders under your command at the taking of Hill 70 at the Battle of Loos. To command such officers and men is indeed enviable—they have added fresh glory to the Cameron Highlanders, and their deeds will live in history.
“From my son, who was A.D.C. to General Sir Arthur Paget, Commanding the Salisbury Division, I heard what Field Marshal Lord Kitchener said about the 7th Battalion: ‘It is far the finest Battalion of the new Army I have seen,’ no mean compliment from such an authority who knows how to judge soldiers.
“Yours truly,
“A. MACKINTOSH OF MACKINTOSH, Colonel,
“3rd Cameron Highlanders.”
The next day, having spent about 3 months in France he was invalided back home for recovery on 26th September.
Whilst back in England he managed to get himself a Commission in the British Army, being discharged on appointment to a Commission with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 26th January 1916, having filled out his candidate’s paperwork on 29th November 1915.
“I’ve been serving in the ranks in the Signal Section of the 7th Service Battalion of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, Regular Forces”.
“At present I’m on leave after recovery from a wound received in action with my Battalion in France on 25th September last.”
Amongst his candidate notes was a vouch from Rev James Campbell who writes:
“Private Thomas Ballantyne is a Member of my Congregation, he is a youth of great promise. I have known him from Childhood.”
Thomas joined the 5th KOSB and served with the unit for the rest of the war. This was a good unit for him to join as it was his home town battalion, known as the 5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion KOSB.
Dumfries and Galloway Standard notes on 28th October 1916:
“Second Lieutenant Thomas Ballantyne, 3/5 KOSB, son of Mr A.H. Ballantyne, Corrimal, has been appointed Signalling Officer and is attached to the Division Headquarters at the Front.”
On 3rd March 1917, Thomas was sent on attachment to serve with the Army Signal Service, being attached to the 24th Divisional Signal Company of the Royal Engineers.
Joining as a 2nd Lieutenant on 17th January 1916, he was advanced to Lieutenant less than 6 months later on 1st July 1917.
After the war was over he was later demobilised on 25th January 1921.
LATER LIFE
After leaving the Army he got married in Gosforth noted in the Newcastle Journal 12th September 1928:
“GOSFORTH WEDDING, MR T BALLANTYNE AND MISS D BLENKINSOP.
The Vicar of All Saint’s Church Gosforth, Rev W.A. Studdert-Kennedy officiated at the wedding yesterday of Mr Thomas Ballantyne MC, eldest son of Mr A.H. Ballantyne of Corrimal, Dumfries, and the late Mrs Ballantyne, and Miss Dorothy Blenkinsop, elder daughter of Councillor and Mrs W.H. Blenkinsop, Ravensthorpe, Northumberland Avenue, Gosforth…”
The article then goes into great detail to mention how everyone was dressed before noting that young couple left for their honeymoon in Scotland after the celebration.
He looks to have taken his new wife back home over the border to Scotland.
He lived a long life his wife Dorothy, and died at Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, on 4th May 1974. His wife later died in 1991.
Full Account of the 7th Camerons at the Battle of Loos from the Regimental History
CHAPTER 2.
THE BATTLE OF LOOS.
On the 21st September 1915, we again went into the trenches, taking over the Grenay-Vermelles line, preparatory to the Battle of Loos. Shelling had now become intense, the bombardment being in full swing. Before going into the line, the fact that the attack was going to take place was kept most secret, nobody below the rank of Company Commander being informed of the project. We were, therefore, somewhat surprised to learn, on getting into the line, that the Germans knew all about it. In fact, we were told by those in the front line that the enemy was shouting across to our trenches asking what was the cause of the delay!
At 4:45 a.m. on the 25th, the Battalion moved out to take part in its first great battle, a battle which is one of the greatest in the history of Scotland, owing to the number of Scottish troops employed. On that day, there were five battalions of Camerons engaged. The morning was dull and misty, with practically no wind. At 5:50 a.m., our gas was turned on, and ran alternately with smoke candles. Owing to the lack of wind, however, it is doubtful if the gas did not do more harm than good, numerous British casualties being due to it.
At 6:30 a.m., the assault was delivered, the 9th Black Watch and 8th Seaforths leading, with the 7th Camerons in support, and the 10th Gordons in reserve. The advance was practically due East towards the Towers of Loos, these being kept slightly on our right. Within a very short time, the Black Watch and Seaforths got clear away.
The Camerons, following, were very shortly streaming through the village of Loos, having crossed the third German line of wire and trenches, which had been regarded as impregnable. Unfortunately, traces of the gallant part played by the Camerons in cutting this wire, which was almost untouched by Artillery fire, were too evident, the ground being strewn with dead and wounded. The houses in Loos were practically battered to pieces. Germans were being bombed out of the cellars, others bayoneted, dozens were surrendering, but nothing seemed to stay the advance of the 44th Brigade.
The Battalion Headquarters were established in a red brick building near the church, which was now a heap of ruins. There the Commanding Officer, with the Signallers and Scouts collected round him, remained in comparative security until suddenly a number of the heaviest type of high explosive shells rained down on them. All dashed for a cellar, in which was found a German soldier. Soon after, it was decided to go down into the lower cellar, where we found a German officer still telephoning. It was evident that he had directed the Artillery fire upon our Headquarters. His telephone apparatus was for a long time afterwards in the possession of, and used by, the Battalion Signallers.
As the Commanding Officer was going through the village, he came across two Companies of the 7th Royal Scots Fusiliers, who attached themselves to him, and all went on together to Hill 70. On their arrival at the foot of the Hill, information was received that 300/400 of the Brigade—most of them Camerons—had pressed forward over the Hill and were heavily engaged with the enemy’s lines at St. Laurent. It must be remembered that the orders received before going into action were that the Battalion was to press on to the Cité St. Auguste, beside St. Laurent, which was given to them as their final objective.
Major Crichton of the 10th Gordons handed over the command of the Hill to Colonel Sandilands, who, at once realising the gravity of the situation, decided to establish a line on the reverse slope of Hill 70. Luckily here, there was a sort of natural line of defense, consisting of a bank about 3 feet high, running roughly North and South along the Hill. This proved an invaluable feature to hold on to, as men instinctively rallied to it. Major Barron, 2nd in command, 7th Camerons, and Major Crichton (10th Gordons) volunteered to go forward and order the advance party, who had charged over the Hill, to retire. Both officers fell in the task, but their orders reached the advanced line, and the men began to fight their way back. Major Crichton was killed outright, while Major Barron, who was wounded and taken prisoner, died of his wounds in a German Field Hospital.
The Commanding Officer, being satisfied that his right was protected by the London Regiment which was astride the Loos Crassier, ordered the Royal Scots Fusiliers to dig in for all they were worth. There is little doubt that if these two Companies had not acted contrary to the strict letter of their orders, in coming on with Colonel Sandilands, things might have gone badly with the 15th Division. About 8 a.m., the Battalion Flag, which consisted of one of the Divisional yellow distinguishing flags, with a patch of Cameron tartan taken from an old kilt sewn on to it, was planted on Hill 70, and remained flying till midnight, when we withdrew. Throughout the operations, the flag was carried by Scout-Sergeant Lamb, and on more than one critical occasion, he rallied men of all regiments by waving them back to the Hill. This flag has been presented to the Depot and is now in the Officers’ Mess at Inverness.
About midnight, when the line had been fairly well dug, those in front were ordered to retire. It was on the forward slope of Hill 70 that the greatest number of casualties in the 7th Camerons occurred. The confusion which of necessity arises after an assault of this nature can be realised from the fact that on Hill 70, the Commanding Officer had under his command representatives from no less than nine different Battalions.
At 3 p.m., all were cheered by seeing large bodies of troops coming over the Hill, apparently to relieve us. They turned out to be part of the 1st Division, who had been delayed in the attack on our left, and not a relief. At 6 p.m., word was received that we were to be relieved by the 62nd Brigade, but owing to some error, they did not arrive until early the next morning.
At 8 p.m., the Commanding Officer discussed the situation with the Brigadier and satisfied him that the position on Hill 70 was secure for the night, and, in view of the fact that the few Camerons who still remained could not influence the situation, received orders to hand over the command to Lieut.-Colonel M’Lean of the 10th Royal Scots, and to withdraw his own men. At midnight, he ordered his little band of weary Camerons to retire. Not many who came out that night will very readily forget it. In drenching rain, pools of mud, and incessant shelling, they picked their way amongst the dead by the light of burning houses, and they plodded wearily on, powerless to take any notice of the wounded who lay waiting for stretcher-bearers. Mistaking the road, they made a detour through Maroc, finally fetching up at the old Headquarters, which, although it consisted merely of a badly shelled house, appeared like a sanctuary. Without calling a proper Roll, the men were numbered off, and it was found that there were 4 officers and 75 other ranks present out of 20 officers and 827 rank and file who had started off so proudly 24 hours earlier. Throughout the night and early morning, stragglers kept coming in, and there were finally collected 6 officers and about 290 other ranks.
Philosophe was reached about 3 a.m., and we were lucky to find the cookers waiting for us, and, after having some tea, both officers and men slept on the ground, too exhausted to take any notice of the mud or water. The usual rumours of going back for a long rest were prevalent, a rest which was often talked about but never matured. However, about 8 a.m. on the 26th of September, a Staff Officer came over and said that the battle was going far from well, and that there was no alternative but to send the remnant of the Battalion back into the fight.
It is impossible to realise the feelings of men under such circumstances. They fell in and went straight back, picking their way through Quality Street, which by this time was literally running with blood and blocked with wounded. On they went amidst a hail of gas shells, pushing their way through bunches of disorganised troops—raw recruits who had never before experienced the sights of a battlefield—and arriving finally at the old German front-line, where they found the trench so full of gas that they had to dig themselves in behind the parados. They held this position well on into the Monday morning, when they were finally relieved. Twenty-four hours after this, these men marched out of Mazingarbe, headed by the pipes and drums, with their buttons cleaned and their equipment polished in so smart a manner that they were mistaken for a new draft, and were greeted with shouts from those whom they passed: “Wait till you have been in the trenches, and you won’t look like that.”
Our casualties for the day were:
OFFICERS MEN
Killed, 4 Killed, 64
Wounded, 6 Wounded, 255
Missing, 4 Missing, 215
Total, 548
Colonel Sandilands received the following letter from Colonel The Mackintosh of Mackintosh:
“INVERGORDON, 12th October, 1915.
DEAR SANDILANDS,
“Let me express the feelings of all here. We are proud of the dash and gallantry shown by the 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders under your command at the taking of Hill 70 at the Battle of Loos. To command such officers and men is indeed enviable—they have added fresh glory to the Cameron Highlanders, and their deeds will live in history.
“From my son, who was A.D.C. to General Sir Arthur Paget, Commanding the Salisbury Division, I heard what Field Marshal Lord Kitchener said about the 7th Battalion: ‘It is far the finest Battalion of the new Army I have seen,’ no mean compliment from such an authority who knows how to judge soldiers.
Yours truly,
A. MACKINTOSH OF MACKINTOSH, Colonel,
3rd Cameron Highlanders.”