John Archibald Ballard facts for kids
Lieutenant General John Archibald Ballard (born June 20, 1829 – died April 1, 1880) was a brave British soldier and engineer. He served in the Royal Engineers and played important roles in several conflicts and in developing India. He was known for his calm leadership and care for his soldiers.
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Early Life and Military Start
John Archibald Ballard was born in Portbury, Somerset, England. His father, George Ballard, was a merchant in Calcutta, India. John went to a special military school called Addiscombe Military Seminary near Croydon. In 1850, he joined the Bengal Engineers, a part of the British army in India. After a few quiet years, he had to return to Europe in 1854 because of his health.
Heroic Service in the Turkish Army
While in Europe, Ballard heard about a big war happening. This was the Crimean War, where Russia was fighting against the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), Britain, and France. He decided to join the fight.
Ballard went to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and then to the camp of Omar Pasha, a Turkish general. Omar Pasha made him a lieutenant-colonel in the Turkish army. Ballard was sent to Silistria, a city under siege by the Russians. Two other British officers had been helping, but one was badly hurt, and the other left. Ballard became the only British officer there.
He showed great courage and leadership. He helped the defenders of Silistria keep fighting. Thanks to his efforts, the Russians stopped their siege on June 28, 1854. Later, at the battle of Giurgevo, Ballard led the skirmishers, holding back the enemy. For his bravery, the British government thanked him. The Turkish government gave him a gold medal and a special sword.
Ballard continued to serve with Turkish troops in other battles, including at Yevpatoria and Kertch. He even commanded a brigade in a campaign to help the city of Kars. During the battle of the Ingour river, Ballard and his soldiers fought fiercely. He was always known for staying calm under fire and looking after his men.
Return to India and Important Work
In 1856, Ballard returned to India. He received special honors, including the Order of the Bath and the Order of the Medjidie, for his service with the Turkish army. He then served in the Persian campaign (1856–57). After that, he helped fight in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, chasing down rebel forces.
Ballard was promoted very quickly, becoming a lieutenant-colonel in 1858 and a lieutenant general by 1861.
In 1861, he married Joanna Scott Moncrieff in Scotland. Soon after, he returned to India. He became the mint-master in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1861. This meant he was in charge of the place where money was made. From 1873 to 1876, he also led the Board of Trustees for the Bombay port. He oversaw the building of the Ballard Pier. This pier helped Mumbai grow from a small fishing village into a very important port city. For many years, Ballard Pier was a major business hub for all of India.
Family Life
John and Joanna Ballard had several children. Their first son, George Alexander Ballard, who later became an admiral, was born in 1862. They had two daughters, Susan and Jane, born in India. Two more children, Colin Robert and Joanna E., were born in Scotland. Their last daughter, Mary A. Ballard, was born in Australia. In 1868, he received an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh.
Ballard retired from the army in 1879. He sadly died suddenly in Greece on April 1, 1880, while visiting the famous Pass of Thermopylae. He was buried in Athens. There is a special memorial to him in St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai.
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Lieutenant General John Archibald Ballard
