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Charles Douglas Baille-Hamilton
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 20/10/1880 |
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Place of birth: Hope, Flintshire, Wales, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Clerk |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Canada |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 108074 |
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Enlistment date: 29/12/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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Units: — Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1st Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 02/06/1916 |
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Place of death: Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 35 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XLIX Row: E Grave: 10 |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Charles Douglas Baille-Hamilton was born on October 30, 1880, in Hope, Flintshire, Wales. He was the son of George James Baille-Hamilton and Eliza Baille-Hamilton. In 1912, Charles married Christina Louise in Westlock, Alberta, Canada. On December 29, 1914, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Edmonton and was assigned to the 3rd battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles. On June 12, 1915, he embarked from Montreal aboard the SS Megantic. On September 22, 1915, he arrived in France for frontline service. There, on January 2, 1916, he was transferred to the 1st battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles.
On June 2, 1916, Charles Douglas was positioned north of Observatory Ridge along the Hill 62 and Tor Top line. At 8:30 a.m., hell broke loose. The Germans detonated a mine beneath the lines of the 4th battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles. Subsequently, the Germans launched an attack, targeting the right flank of the 1st battalion. Colonel Shaw attempted to halt the advancing Germans alongside 80 others. After Colonel Shaw’s death, Major Palmer took command. The position was held until only two officers and eight other ranks remained. The survivors were eventually ordered to withdraw. Upon retreating, they found themselves in a position held by a handful of troops. Ultimately, the remaining troops were relieved.
At the start of the frontline engagement, the 1st battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, counted 21 officers and 671 other ranks. Upon withdrawal, the battalion numbered only 5 officers and 135 other ranks. Five officers were reported killed, 10 missing, and 536 other ranks were reported as wounded, missing, or killed.
Charles Douglas Baille-Hamilton was initially reported as missing until June 5, when he was confirmed killed in action on June 2. His body was reburied after the war at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XLIX, Row E, Grave 10.
On June 2, 1916, Charles Douglas was positioned north of Observatory Ridge along the Hill 62 and Tor Top line. At 8:30 a.m., hell broke loose. The Germans detonated a mine beneath the lines of the 4th battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles. Subsequently, the Germans launched an attack, targeting the right flank of the 1st battalion. Colonel Shaw attempted to halt the advancing Germans alongside 80 others. After Colonel Shaw’s death, Major Palmer took command. The position was held until only two officers and eight other ranks remained. The survivors were eventually ordered to withdraw. Upon retreating, they found themselves in a position held by a handful of troops. Ultimately, the remaining troops were relieved.
At the start of the frontline engagement, the 1st battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, counted 21 officers and 671 other ranks. Upon withdrawal, the battalion numbered only 5 officers and 135 other ranks. Five officers were reported killed, 10 missing, and 536 other ranks were reported as wounded, missing, or killed.
Charles Douglas Baille-Hamilton was initially reported as missing until June 5, when he was confirmed killed in action on June 2. His body was reburied after the war at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XLIX, Row E, Grave 10.
Sources 5
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1912 Bailie-Hamilton, Charles+Adkins, Christina Marriage Announcement https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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Cheshire West and Chester Council; Cheshire, England; Parish Registers; Reference: P 115/12 https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461793/charles-douglas-baille-hamilton/ Sources used |
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC) RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 353 - 16) https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng Sources used |
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War diaries: 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume number: 4944, Microfilm reel number: T-10751--T-10752, File number: 454) https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng Sources used |
More information 2
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461793 |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/461793?Charles%20Douglas%20Baille-Hamilton |