Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 382

(x) A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant T. Ballantyne, King's Own Scottish Borderers, attached Royal Engineers, late Cameron Highlanders, who was wounded on the first day of the Battle of Loos

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (S-15535. Pte. T. Ballantyne. Cam'n Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. T. Ballantyne.), staining to reverse of Star and obverse of Victory Medal, nearly very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

Thomas Ballantyne was born on 15 July 1894 at Maxwelltown, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, the son of Albert Hyndrick Ballantyne, a journeyman joiner. Having been educated at Laurieknowe School and St. Joseph's College, Dumfries, followed by a brief period as a law apprentice, Ballantyne attested at Inverness as a Private in the 7th (Queen's Own) Cameron Highlanders, serving in France from 8 July 1915. Posted to the Signal Section, he was wounded in action on 25 September 1915, the first day of the Battle of Loos, receiving a gunshot wound to the scalp. Half of the 72 Battalions involved in the initial assault on 25 September belonged to Scottish regiments, and the attackers suffered very high casualties in capturing the village of Loos, Hill 70, and the formidable Hohenzollern Redoubt, including some self-inflicted losses involving the use of chlorine gas against the Germans.

Recovered and later posted home on leave, Ballantyne applied for a commission with the King's Own Scottish Borderers and was appointed 2nd Lieutenant to the 3/5th K.O.S.B. on 26 January 1916. He was later awarded the M.C. serving with the 5th Battalion, attached to the Signal Service, 24th D.S.C., Royal Engineers, in which capacity he would have been involved in the early use of the wireless, Fullerphone and alternative means of communication. Discharged at Crystal Palace on 14 April 1919, he applied for his medals on 19 October 1921; sold with copied MIC, officer service papers and research.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£800

Sale 19002 Notices
This lots is imported, therefore it is subject to 5% import VAT on the Hammer Price.