Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

James Alexander Ballantyne, known as Alec, was born on 16 February 1892 at Timaru, the second son of the Ninian Ballantyne and Jane Gray (Jeannie, née Hamilton) Ballantyne. His father had died at Hunter in 1911, when the youngest of Alec’s siblings was only a year old. Alec attended the Ashwick Flat School from 1898, leaving in January 1906 for Maheno. James Alexander Ballantyne, shepherd, Rollesby Station, Burke’s Pass, was called up from the First Division of Reservists at the beginning of October 1917. At the sitting of the Military Service Appeal Board held at Timaru on 6 November, James Alex. Ballantyne was allowed a sine die adjournment as a high country musterer. Come 17 June 1918 and J. A. Ballantyne was in a big draft for the 43rd Reinforcement which would leave for camp. The 43rd Reinforcements would be approximately the same size as tho forty-second. and would include a fair proportion of volunteers. The response to the appeal for volunteers to enter camp immediately had been very satisfactory, and the draft was practically of the required strength. Alec married Doris Amelia Grieve on 19 June 1920 at the Trinity Manse, Timaru. Alec and Doris had two sons and a daughter. At the monthly meeting of the Mackenzie County Council held on 1 October 1928, it was agreed to provide a gravel track to a petrol pump which Mr J. A. Ballantyne had installed in front of his shop at Burke’s Pass. In May 1935 he was appointed to the Burke’s Pass Committee, one of several committees set up within the newly elected Mackenzie County Council. He died on 1 July 1944 at Burke’s Pass, Mackenzie Country, aged 51 years, as the result of an accident. The tree which he was assisting to fell broke off unexpectedly, crushing him against the stump. Death was instantaneous. He was buried at Burke’s Pass Cemetery. Doris was buried with him in 1978. At the time of Alec’s death, his older son John was serving overseas in World War Two. His older brother, Ninian Ballantyne known as Ringin, was killed in action at the Dardanelles on 28 August 1915.

Sources

N Z Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5520 0010851) [24 October 2021]; Timaru Herald, 2 October 1917, 7 November 1917, 15 June 1918, 2 October 1928, 31 July 1935, Otago Daily Times, 3 July 1944, Press, 3 July 1944 (Papers Past) [22 & 24 October 2021]; School Admission Records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [August 2013]; Personal family knowledge; Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search) ]24 October 2021]; Timaru Herald, 3, 4 & 13 July 1944; Burke’s Pass Cemetery records & headstone image; Trinity Presbyterian Church Timaru marriage record transcription; NZ Electoral Rolls

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