Pte 20035 Claude Ballard (MM)

• Age: 26
• From: Newtownhamilton
• Regiment: CAMERON HIGH
• Died on Sunday 5th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Newtownhamilton Cy
  Panel Ref: South of Church

Claude Ballard was born at Tullyvallen, Co. Armagh on 29th August 1890 the youngest son of Rev. Robert John Ballard and his wife Margaret (nee Burns). His parents were married on 25th June 1875 at the Wesleyan Church, Markethill, Armagh.

The 1901 Census taken on 31st March 1901 shows the family are living at Tullyvallen, Newtownhamilton. Claude is shown as a 10 year old scholar living with his parents and siblings Lockett Ford and Dorothy Margaret. There is also a servant shown on the records. 

The family are still present at Tullyvallen when the 1911 Census was conducted on 02nd April 1911. Claude is still a scholar but now aged 20. His parents are still at the residence as is his elder brother Lockett.

In 1915 Claude enlisted in Liverpool into the 20^th Battalion of the Kings Liverpool Regiment. This saw Claude join the Liverpool Pals as Private No.26527. Liverpool provided four battalions of Pals to the Army, these being the 17^th,18^th, 19^th and 20^th Battalions of the Kings Liverpool Regiment.

Claude won the Military Medal which was the highest award for bravery available to Non-Commissioned Officers and was the equivalent of the Military Cross which was awarded to Officers. He transferred from the 20^th Bn Kings Liverpool Regiment to the 5^th Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders. He became Private S/20035.     

Claude was badly wounded on 28/04/1918 during the German Spring Offensive which very nearly turned the war in Germany’s favour. Only stout resistance by the British and French Armies saw the offensive halted. This lay the platform for the push to Victory later in 1918.

Claude was returned to England for treatment but sadly lost his battle and passed away due to acute pneumonia on 05th May 1918. His death was recorded at Chorlton, Lancashire and shows that he was 26 years of age.

His death was reported in the Belfast News on 11th May 1918 under the header:

THE LATE PRIVATE CLAUDE BALLARD

Amid many manifestations of sorrow on the part of the people of the district, the remains of the late Private Claude Ballard, Cameron Highlanders, were laid to rest in the family burial ground in connection with the parish church at Newtownhamilton on Thursday last. The deceased, who passed away on the 5th inst. at the Heald Military Hospital, Manchester, from acute pneumonia following wounds received in action on the 25th of April last, was the youngest son of Rev. R. J. Ballard (who for over three decades prior to his retirement in 1913 was rector of Newtownhamilton) and Mrs Ballard of 27 Orient Gardens, Belfast. The deceased's remains reached Newry by the 11:30a.m. train, and where reverently borne to the hearse in waiting, which then proceeded to Newtownhamilton. Owing to circumstances over which they had no control, the military where unable to furnish a detachment. The services in the church and at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. Mr Ballard, and several beautiful floral tributes were placed on the grave.

His body was returned to Ireland for burial and he now rests at Newtownhamilton Churchyard and has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

Claude is the only casualty of the First World War in the Cemetery. 

Soldiers effects to his father Rev. R. J. Ballard. No pension record found. 

His funeral service was officiated by his father Rev’d Robert John Ballard who had been Rector of Newtownhamilton Parish Church for over 30 years before retiring in 1913. During his address he said of his son:

“The feelings of all bereaved father’s were his, but as he looked at the dead body of his son he felt proud of him and of the other boys of the Parish who had made the supreme sacrifice. Prouder of him today than if he was still filling an easy job in Belfast or elsewhere and neglecting his duty”.

Grateful thanks are extended to Jonathan Hull who took the photograph of Claude's headstone on our behalf.