James Ballentyne Donald (1888-1957)
Served with the Scots Guard
“A hard-working, reliable, sober and honest NCO.”
This is how James’ Commanding Officer described him on his Certificate of Employment During the War. Although born in Strathaven, Scotland, James job as a drapers assistant and later a travelling draper, must have brought him to Darlington. William Maben, also a Scot, had his own business in the town. According to family tradition, James worked for William and lodged at the family home. He then fell in love with William’s daughter, Lillian, who he married in 1915.
For more on this story see link below:
http://www.thenortheastatwar.co.uk/in_your_town/darlington/a-soldier-his-spoon-and-his-spouse
Civil Parish: Darlington
Birth date: 1888
Death date: 1957-Mar-25
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 8 West Powlett Street, Darlington
69 Greenbank Road, Darlington (WW1 Pension Records)
Employment: Draper
Family: Wife: Lillian Maben, married 18 November 1915
Son: James Ballentyne Donald, born 4 September 1916
Military service:
1 Battalion, Scots Guards
Enlisted Dec 1915
Mobilised Nov 1916
Promoted to Lance Corporal Aug 1918
British Expeditionary Forces in France Oct 1917-Nov 1918, Nov 1918-Mar 1919
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham Record Office | Brenda Wright
