Sergeant Frederick James Baillie
PERSONAL INFORMATION
MILITARY INFORMATION
- Sergeant (Army). 1918-05-06 to 1919-01-08
- Sergeant, 24th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1916-10-07 to 1918-05-06
- Private, 46th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1916-09-10 to 1916-10-07
- Private (Army). 1916-07-13 to 1916-09-10
- Private (Army). 1916-01-14 to 1916-07-13
Distinguished Conduct Medal (Lens)
Description: "For conspicuos gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. When his platoon commander was killed early in the attack he at once took command of his platoon, and by keeping direction over most difficult ground, led them to their objective, which was to be in support of the front line. When the leading troops were in difficulties, on his own intitiative he led his men forward to their assistance under very heavy fire, and with his Lewis gun he engaged and captured a hostile machine gun, which he used to great effect on the retiring enemy. He showed great courage and initiative under most difficult conditions.
Date of award: 1918-01-26
Date of award: 1917-10-21
Source: London Gazette LG 30495 at page 134
Comment: See also War Diary, 24th Battalion, August 1917, Appendix 15.
Images
RESEARCH INFORMATION
Source: LAC files; War Diary reference: 24th Battalion, August 1918, Appendix 15.
See also "The 24th Battalion CEF, Victoria Rifles of Canada, 1914-1919" by RC Fetherstonhaugh at Chapter 9; and "Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-1920" by RW Walker, at pg 196
[Private Army Canadian Infantry 46th Battalion Although taken on strength by the 46th Battalion, Pte Baillie did not actually report to this battalion. Most of his draft was reassigned before joining the 46th in the field. Private Army Canadian Infantry 17th Reserve Battalion Sergeant Army Canadian Infantry 23rd Reserve BattalionPosted to the Ontario Regimental Depot for administrative purposes while recovering from his wounds in England. On October 25, 1918 he was found fit to return to duty and joined the 23rd Reserve Battalion in Bramshott. On December 30, he was transferred on command to the Canadian Corps Camp at Rhyll, pending his return to Canada. He sailed for home aboard the SS Olympic from Southampton to Halifax between January 08-16, 1919.
Private Army Canadian Infantry 101st Battalion C Company Sergeant Army Canadian Infantry 24th Battalion D Company Joined the 24th Battalion in the field on October 08, 1916. In barely a five month span in 1917, he was promoted from private to sergeant: March 10 to Lance Corporal; May 09 to Corporal; August 17 to Lance Sergeant & August 21 to Sergeant. For his actions during the battalion attack at Cite St Edouard during the battle for Lens, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was wounded at the Telegraph Hill Switch, south of Arras during a trench relief on May 03, 1918. He was evacuated to England three days later. Distinguished Conduct Medal Lens "For conspicuos gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. When his platoon commander was killed early in the attack he at once took command of his platoon, and by keeping direction over most difficult ground, led them to their objective, which was to be in support of the front line. When the leading troops were in difficulties, on his own intitiative he led his men forward to their assistance under very heavy fire, and with his Lewis gun he engaged and captured a hostile machine gun, which he used to great effect on the retiring enemy. He showed great courage and initiative under most difficult conditions. See also War Diary, 24th Battalion, August 1917, Appendix 15. ]