First World War Canadian British War Medal – Private Charles Albert Ballard, 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles – K.I.A. 1916
British War Medal - 106073 PTE. C. A. BALLARD. 1-C.M.R.
Charles Albert Ballard was born in England (recorded in contemporary accounts as Birmingham) and later emigrated to Canada while still young, settling in York County, New Brunswick. He was one of a remarkable and tragic family of brothers whose military service spanned two wars and resulted in multiple fatalities. Contemporary newspaper accounts describe the Ballards as a family of seven brothers who gave their lives in military service, the eldest having been killed during the South African War, while others fell serving with British and Canadian forces during the Great War.
At the outbreak of the First World War, Charles Albert Ballard enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, serving as Private 106073 in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion. The battalion formed part of the Canadian Corps on the Western Front and saw heavy fighting in the Ypres sector.
Ballard was reported “previously missing, now for official purposes presumed to have died”, his death recorded as on or since 5 June 1916. His unit was at Ypres (Sanctuary Wood) at the time of his loss, during the bitter fighting that followed the Battle of Mount Sorrel in early June 1916. Subsequent official annotation amended his status to “now killed in action.”
He is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium, Grave LIX. E. 6, one of the largest Commonwealth cemeteries of the Great War, situated near Passchendaele in the Ypres Salient.
Charles Albert Ballard’s death formed part of an extraordinary and tragic family record. Newspaper reports state that multiple brothers — including William, George, Horace and Walter — were killed while serving in France and Flanders, following the earlier loss of their eldest brother in South Africa. The family’s sacrifice was widely noted in local reporting, describing them as a family who “gave their lives for King and Country.”
His service number, unit records, casualty forms, and burial documentation confirm his presence with the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles at Ypres at the time of his death in June 1916. His story represents not only the sacrifice of a single soldier, but part of one of the most striking examples of familial loss during the Great War.
Newspaper from 1935 records:
DEAD LAST NIGHT
Marysville Man Last of Seven Brothers Who Gave Lives as Soldiers
Born in Birmingham, Came Here in Youth
Deceased Ill for Several Years, Breakdown in Health Following Active Service.
Last member of a family who gave their lives for King and country, Alfred Ballard, well-known resident of Marysville and veteran of the Great War, died at his home last night after being ill for several years. The deceased, who was thirty-eight years of age, was a member of the Fredericton Branch of the Canadian Legion and a member of the United Church of Canada.
Three brothers of Alfred Ballard also were on the roll of the 104th Battalion and gave their lives on active service. Misfortune had trailed the patriotic English family from the time of the death of the oldest son in South Africa. The late Harry Ballard, father of the seven soldiers of The King, lost his life when he fell from a staging while working near his home in Birmingham. The death of the father occurred soon after word had been received that one of his sons had been killed while serving at the front in Belgium.
Alfred Ballard came to York County, New Brunswick, as a boy, and was a native of Birmingham, Eng., a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ballard of that city.
He was one of seven brothers who gave their lives through military service for their country. The eldest brother, Harry, was killed while on active service in the South African War. Five brothers lost their lives while serving with the British and Canadian forces in France and Flanders during the Great War. They were William, Charles, George, Horace and Walter.
The late Alfred Ballard enlisted in Fredericton in October of 1915 with the Canadian Mounted Rifles, and was transferred to the 104th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He saw service on the western front in the battles of Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and Cambrai and returned home in 1919. As a result of his service, he suffered a breakdown in health which brought about his death. Despite his long period of suffering, he showed great patience and fortitude which won wide respect and sympathy.
Surviving the deceased are his widow, formerly Miss Minnie Titus of Marysville, and one sister, Mrs. Thomas Whitehead, of North Devon. The funeral will take place from the late home on the coming Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, with service conducted by Rev. M. H. Mannel. Interment will be in the Baptist Cemetery at Marysville.
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