Robert Bam Ballantyne

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Jan 29, 1898

Born at Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Mar 30, 1912

Embarked the SS Scotian at Glasgow Scotland as a Home Child with the Quarrier’s Orphanage

 

Apr 8, 1912

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to the Fairknowe Home for orphaned children, Box 437, Brockville, Ontario, initially opened by Mr William Quarrier from Scotland.  This home was eventually operated by the Quarrier’s charity. 

He stayed here until taken into the Claude Winters family home near Selby Ontario as a ward, and employed on the family farm.

 

 Below are 2 photos of the Fairknowe Home, on the left as it was in 1911 and on the right as it stood in 2011

 

 

Apr 17, 1917

Attested into the 1st Reinforcing Draft of the 156th Battalion at Brockville Ontario 

Ø      Number 2255358

Ø      Next of kin given as Claude A Winters, Guardian, of Fairknowe, Brockville Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farm Worker

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

 

May 25, 1917

Pte Ballantyne made out a will leaving his estate to the Quarrier’s Orphans Home, at Bridge-of-Weir, Scotland

 

May 26, 1917

Transferred to the 254th Battalion

 

Jun 2, 1917

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Seaford Camp

 

Jun 10, 1917

The Battalion was absorbed into the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Apr 11, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion and arrived at the No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France. 

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 14, 1918

Left No 2 CIBD to for the reinforcement camp

 

Apr 16, 1918

Arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Calonne Ricouart with 8 other reinforcements for the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 21, 1918

Joined the 21st Battalion in the support trenches at Neuville Vitasse and was assigned to “D” Company

 

Aug 8, 1918

During the attack at Marcelcave, east of Amiens, Pte Ballantyne was first reported to be Missing in Action, then was later found to have been Killed in Action 


Crucifix Corner Cemetery
Villers-Bretonneux France
 

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to Miss Quarrier, c/o Quarrier Orphan Homes, Bridge-of-Weir, Scotland. 

No Plaque, Scroll or Memorial Cross were issued as he had no known relatives

2008

During the Remembrance Day ceremonies in 2008, Veteran's Affairs Canada conducted a vigil each night for the week leading up to November 11.  This vigil consisted of projecting the names of every Canadian soldier who is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on various buildings and monuments across Canada, and in London England.  The photo below shows Pte Robert Ballantyne's name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.



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