Private Alexander Ballantyne

Private Alexander Milligan Ballantyne, 6th (Service) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France, aged 27 on the 3rd May 1917 during the Battle of Arras. He had been born in Jedburgh and was the son of Euphemia and the late William Ballantyne of Jedburgh and the husband of Sarah Ballantyne of 97 St. Andrew Street, Galashiels. He had been employed in the cloth finishing department in a Gala factory before enlisting in the 1st/4th K.O.S.B. He then served on Gallipoli where he was wounded. On recovery he was posted to the 6th Battalion in France. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. He fell in the disastrous attack on “Greenland Hill” which cost the Battalion dearly. It was a night attack on unreconnoitered German positions which went badly wrong. Three Companies of the Battalion were cut off. By nightfall only 50 men had managed to return to the British lines. 6 Officers and 51 Other Ranks were killed and 4 Officers and 152 Other Ranks were wounded. In addition 5 Officers and 200 Other Ranks were posted missing. The photos show troops during the Battle of Arras.