Ballantyne, James Hamilton "Jimmy"

Date of birth:: January 18th, 1918 (Toronto, Canada)
Date of death:: March 8th, 1944 (Evereux, France)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves Saint-André-de-l'Eure
Service number:: R.85860/J.16085
Nationality:: Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Promotions:
1941: Sergeant;
June 1st, 1942: Flight Sergeant;
August 8th, 1942: Warrant Officer 2nd Class;
October 29th, 1942: Pilot Officer;
1943: Flying Officer;

Career:
?: Clerk General Accident Assurance Company;
December 20th, 1940: Enlistment;
? - April 10th, 1941: No. 1 Imperial Training Squadron;
? - May 28th, 1941: No. 1 EFTS;
? - August 8th, 1941: No. 2 SFTS;
October 28th, 1941 - January 1942: No. 58 Operational Training Unit;
January 10th, 1942 - May 1942: No. 222 Squadron;
May 26th, 1941: HQ Middle East;
June 3rd, 1942: No. 229 Squadron;
August 1942: No. 603 Squadron, Malta;
December 3rd, 1942: No. 59 Operational Training Unit;
October 29th, 1943: RCAF Canada;
January 4th, 1944 - March 8th, 1944: No. 403 Squadron.

James Hamilton Ballantyne ligt begraven op de Gemeentelijke Begraafplaats St. Andre-De-L'Eure, Eure, Frankrijk.

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Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Sergeant
Unit:: No. 229 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: December 1st, 1942

Citation:
"Since June, 1942, this airman pilot has destroyed at least five enemy aircraft and damaged others. One day in July 1942, he became separated from his section but with courage and determination attacked three Messerschmitt 109s, destroying one. Some days later Flight Sergeant Ballantyne was leading his section when the squadron attacked a formation of enemy heavy bombers. The bombers were successfully intercepted and pursued to within ten miles of the Sicilian coast. On yet another occasion this pilot attacked two Junkers 88s and then while separated from his squadron was attacked by four enemy fighters. By skilful maneouvering and great tenacity he fought off the enemy fighters and landed his aircraft safely. Flight Sergeant Ballantyne is a most courageous and brave fighter pilot, who has played a worthy part in the defence of Malta. "