The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Tom Lang · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 79

These brave men were brothers.
They are my 1st cousins 2x removed.
I have been building and researching my family tree and have most of their history.
Their parents were:
John Gibson Ballantyne, b 6 Jul 1851 at W Linton; d 1935.
Christina Todd, b 27 Apr 1851, at Douglas, Lanarkshire; d 25 Jul 1938 at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Their parents were married on 8 June, 1877, at Rigside, Douglas, Lanarkshire.
The children are:
1) Alexander Ballantyne, b 11 Oct 1877 at Eddleston. I have no proof yet of when he died, but he emigrated to Australia.
2) Agnes Ballantyne, b 1881 at Peebles. I have not yet traced her further.
3) John Gibson Ballantyne was born 1883 at Peebles. (I haven't got his birth record yet from ScotlansPeople). He also emigrated to Australia.
He was in Australia for several years, and when WW1 broke out he returned to this country as Private 4528/A in the 53rd Infantry Bn. of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). John went to France with his unit in March 1918, and fell in action at Tincourt on 30 Sep 1918. He was 35 years old, and is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery, France.
4) William Ballantyne was born on 6 Feb 1890, at Drochil Cottages, Newlands. After serving an apprenticeship (I don't know what) in Biggar, he went to London as a travelling salesman. I have traced an address in Camberwell where he was a lodger. William joined the 14th Bn London Scottish Regiment as Private 1455, prior to the outbreak of WW1. He went to France on 15 Sep 1914, and was involved in several engagements with the enemy. He was wounded in November 1914, and invalided back home. He rejoined his regiment in March 1915, and on 18 Sep 1915 was gazetted to the 1st Bn Black Watch, and was commissioned as 2nd Lt. He fell in action at Hulluch, France, during the Battle of Loos. His remains were never recovered and he is commemorated on Panels 78 to 83 at Loos Memorial, France.
5) George Gibson Ballantyne, b 3 Dec 1892 at Newlands. He too emigrated to Australia. He married in Australia, has children, and died 17 Aug 1960 at Temora, NSW, Oz.

In the 1881 census for Peebles:
John Ballantyne, age 29, Ploughman, b W Linton
Christina Ballantyne, age 29, b Douglas
Alexander Ballantyne, age 3, b Eddleston
were living at Crookstone, Peebles.

In the 1891 census for Newlands:
John Ballantyne, age 39, Agricultural Labourer, b W Linton
Christina Ballantyne, age 39, b Douglas
Alexander Ballantyne, age 13, scholar, b Eddleston
Agnes Ballantyne, age 10, scholar, b Peebles
John Ballantyne, age 8, scholar, b Peebles
Andrew Ballantyne, age 4, b Newlands
William Ballantyne, age 1, b Newlands
were living at Drochil Cottage, Newlands.

In the 1901 census for Kirkurd:
John Ballantyne, age 50, Farm Grieve, b W Linton
Christina Ballantyne, age 49, b Douglas
(Alexander Ballantyne is not shown)
Agnes Ballantyne, age 19, domestic servant, b Peebles
John Ballantyne, age 18, Farm Cattleman, b Peebles
Andrew Ballantyne, age 4, b Newlands
William Ballantyne, age 11, scholar, b Newlands
George Ballantyne, age 8, scholar, b Newlands
were living at Cottage House Ladyard, Kirkurd.

In the 1911 census for Kirkurd:
John Ballantyne, age 59, Farm Grieve, b W Linton
Christina Ballantyne, age 59, b Douglas
(Alexander Ballantyne is not shown)
(Agnes Ballantyne is not shown)
John Ballantyne, age 28, (occupation blurred), b Peebles
(Andrew Ballantyne is not shown)
(William Ballantyne is not shown)
George Ballantyne, age 18, groom & gardner at farm, b Newlands
were living at Ladyard, Kirkurd.

Both John and William are commemorated here at Blyth Bridge, and also on the War Memorial at Peebles. Their names are listed under KIRKURD, but the camera flash has made it fade in the background.

Their pictures and stories are listed in the Book of Remembrance in Peebles Library. I have those images, but I need advice on how to post them here.

Kindest Regards.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

Murray · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 64

Tom, here are the images.

William Ballantyne

John Ballantyne

Tom Lang · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 79

Thanks Murray.

I have these and the 'text' pictures to go with them.

I just don't know HOW to upload these. Can you give instructions?

Kindest Regards.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

Tom Lang · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 79

I've just re-read the text of the plaque which IanA had first posted.
It shows:
William Ballantyne
Sec Lieut 2nd Black Watch. Killed at Hulluch
France 13th Oct 1915. Aged 25.

From the MIC I have, it says 1st Bn Black Watch. (I'd upload it if I knew how).

Just in case this difference isn't noticed by any of you hawkeyes out there...

Kindest Regards.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

spoons · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:33 am Post subject:

Murray · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 64

Tom Lang · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 79

Thanks guys. I've also had a lot of help from the BW site.

Kindest Regards.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

Murray · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 64

I found this while researching another Black Watch Soldier

Memorial Plate at Loos

Tom Lang · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 79

Wow! Thanks Murray. Can you share your source for this photo? I'm been looking around the web to see if anyone has posted pics of the Panels at Loos Memorial. So far I haven't found any.
But thanks for posting this.
Kindest Regards.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

Tom Lang · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 79

Found a photo... Thanks.
_________________
'Lest We Forget'
Remembering my grandfather Pte 37091 Robert Lang 14th Bn HLI, killed in action 24 Apr 1917 at Gouzeaucourt, France.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 8:42 pm Post subject:

Name: TELFER, W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service Number: 7117
Regiment/Service: Army Cyclist Corps, 15th Cyclist Bn
Date of Death: 1/10/1916
Grave Reference: V B 1
Cemetery: Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe

Also named on Peebles and Traquair War Memorials.

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

I have just disposed of WMR 6044 which I agree is a duplicate record, so 13316 is now the correct record.

Thanks for the notification, sorry it has taken 11 years to rectify!

Stuart

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:29 pm Post subject:

MILLER, THOMAS ALEXANDER GRANT

Rank: Lieutenant
Date of Death: 26/04/1915
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers 1st Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 84 to 92 or 220 to 222.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of the Rev. T. D. and Margaret Julia Miller, of Kirkurd Manse, Dolphinton, Peeblesshire and Inveraven, Bridgend, Perth. A noted Rugby football player.

MILLER, ARCHIBALD WILLIAM BUCHANAN

Rank: Lieutenant
Date of Death: 13/07/1917
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps 29th Sqdn. and 1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
Grave Reference: Hollebosch Ger. Cem. Mem. 19.
Cemetery: HARLEBEKE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of the Rev. Thomas Duncan Miller, M.A., and Margaret Julia Grant Miller, of Inveraven, Bridgend, Perth.

Both are also named on Peebles War Memorial, on Edinburgh Academy memorial and have a plaque in St John's Kirk, Perth. Both also attended Fettes College.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:24 am Post subject:

Name: WELSH, DAVID HENDERSON
Initials: DH
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Service Number: 7439
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots, 8th Bn
Date of Death: 14/8/1916
Age: 22
Additional Information: Son of James and Mary J. Welsh, of Blyth Bridge, Dolphinton. A Joiner.
Cemetery: Newlands Old Churchyard

Also named on Newlands and Peebles War Memorials.