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 65 Castlegate, Jedburgh. He was the husband of Sarah Ballantyne of 97 St Andrew Street, Galashiels whom he had married in Galashiels in 1916 whilst home om leave. Before the War he had been employed in the cloth finishing Department of a Galashiels factory. He had originally enlisted in the 1st/4th K.O.S.B. and went with them to Gallipoli in June 1915. There he was wounded and after recovery he was posted to the 6th Battalion in France. He fell in the disastrous attack on ” Greenland Hill”. The attack was a rushed affair at night on unreconnoitred positions. The Battalion penetrated the farthest into the enemy lines but the flank attacks failed thus allowing the enemy to come in from the sides and cut the attackers off. Of the 3 Companies involved only some 50 men managed to regain British lines. 6 Officers and 51 Other Ranks were killed and 3 Officers and 152 Other Ranks were wounded. In addition 5 Officers and 200 Other Ranks were posted missing. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. The photos show troops during the Battle.