Pte
John Ballingall
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1898 |
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Place of birth: Barony, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 62 McLellan Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Mail Carrier - Postman |
Army information
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Country: Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 301787 |
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Enlistment date: 06/02/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 11th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 22/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Beck House, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: IX Row: D Grave: 7 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
John Ballingball was born around 1898 in Barony, present-day Glasgow, Scotland. He was the son of John and Euphemia Ballingall. Before enlisting, he worked as a postman. On 6 February 1916, he walked into a recruitment office in Glasgow and enlisted in the British Army. He was assigned to the 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. On 28 July 1917, he arrived at his unit in France.
In August 1917, the men of the 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were stationed in the area around Poperinge. On 21 August, they moved to the frontline at the Frezenberg, taking over positions from the 10th/11th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. The headquarters of the 11th Battalion was set up at Low Farm. On 22 August, at 4:45 am, the men of the 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, along with the men of the 13th Battalion, Royal Scots, left their trenches. Their objectives were Beck House, Borry Farm, and several fortified positions.
The attack quickly bogged down. German machine gun and rifle fire from Beck House, Vampir Farm, Borry Farm, and Potsdam Farm was overwhelming. Runners could not deliver messages to headquarters, and several attempts to advance failed. German aircraft caused additional casualties. Eventually, in the afternoon, the troops withdrew to a line running from Beck House to Railway Dump. For the men of the 11th Battalion, it was mainly the German forces in Beck House that caused many casualties. During the night of 23 to 24 August, the troops of the 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, relieved the frontline.
John Ballingball died at the age of 19 near Beck House. He was reburied after the war at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot IX, Row D, Grave 7.
In August 1917, the men of the 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were stationed in the area around Poperinge. On 21 August, they moved to the frontline at the Frezenberg, taking over positions from the 10th/11th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. The headquarters of the 11th Battalion was set up at Low Farm. On 22 August, at 4:45 am, the men of the 11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, along with the men of the 13th Battalion, Royal Scots, left their trenches. Their objectives were Beck House, Borry Farm, and several fortified positions.
The attack quickly bogged down. German machine gun and rifle fire from Beck House, Vampir Farm, Borry Farm, and Potsdam Farm was overwhelming. Runners could not deliver messages to headquarters, and several attempts to advance failed. German aircraft caused additional casualties. Eventually, in the afternoon, the troops withdrew to a line running from Beck House to Railway Dump. For the men of the 11th Battalion, it was mainly the German forces in Beck House that caused many casualties. During the night of 23 to 24 August, the troops of the 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, relieved the frontline.
John Ballingball died at the age of 19 near Beck House. He was reburied after the war at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot IX, Row D, Grave 7.
Sources 4
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11 Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders war diary (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1944/2). http://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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45 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1943/2). http://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920, WO 363. http://Ancestry.com Sources used |
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UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919, His Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO), 1921. http://Ancestry.com Sources used |
More information 3
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461812 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/161024 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=40e92604-2d9c-4086-9b44-2a989ff0fbbf |