In memory of


Second Lieutenant

William Ballantyne


1st Black Watch.


†October 13th, 1915, age 25

Son of Mr and Mrs John Ballantyne Newlands and Kirkurd
Remembered with honour at
LOOS MEMORIAL

William Ballantyne was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs J. Ballantyne. After serving his apprenticeship in Biggar he proceeded to London to work as a commercial traveller.  He was an enthusiastic member of the London Scottish, and on the outbreak of war he proceeded to London, taking up severable memorable engagements.  He was wounded in November, 1914 and invalided home, but rejoined his regiment in March, 1915.  He was gazetted to the 1st Battalion Black Watch in September 1915, and fell in action at Hullaach on 13th October, 1915, aged 25 years.

Dud Corner Cemetery stands almost on the site of a German strong point, the Lens Road Redoubt, captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the battle. The name "Dud Corner" is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice. On either side of the cemetery is a wall 15 feet high, to which are fixed tablets on which are carved the names of those commemorated. At the back are four small circular courts, open to the sky, in which the lines of tablets are continued, and between these courts are three semicircular walls or apses, two of which carry tablets, while on the centre apse is erected the Cross of Sacrifice.