William Wilson Ballantyne enlisted with the 134^th Battalion (48^th Highlanders) on 5 February 1916 and was given the service number 800002. The battalion left Canada from Halifax on 8 August 1916, disembarking at Liverpool on the 19^th. The 134^th Battalion, intended to be a fighting battalion as part of a new 5^th Canadian Division, trained in England.  Two companies of the 134^th Battalion were sent as reinforcements for the 15^th Battalion (48^th Highlanders) fighting in France.

Pte Ballantyne arrived at the 15^th Battalion on 11 October. Just four weeks later, on 5 November, Pte Ballantyne was sent to hospital and had an appendix operation on  the 12^th. He was invalided to England arriving at Hastings on 28 November, then to Sandling on 14 March 1917. A medical assessment determined that he had “flat feet” to such a degree that he was declared unfit for combat and returned to Canada. He was discharged formally at MD2 in Canada on 17 February 1919.

During his short period in France the battalion had just left The Somme on 10 October for billets in Albert. On the 12^th they moved into the lines at Courcelette, then were pulled out on the night of the 14^th, going back to Albert. The battalion was then at Gouy Servins in Villers-au-Bois in support of the 13^th and 16^th Battalions at the left end of Vimy Ridge. They moved into the line on 5 November, the day Pte Ballantyne was sent to hospital.

NOK: mother, Agnes Wilson Ballantyne at 690 Gladstone Avenue, Toronto.

Pte Ballantyne’s brothers, also served in the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders).  799498 James Ballantyne enlisted with the 134th Battalion on 20 Jan 1916 and was TOS the 15th Battalion on 11 October 1916. the same day as William. 803129 James A Ballantyne enlisted with the 135th Battalion on 10 April 1916 and was TOS the 15th Battalion on 19 November 1916.