The only RFB for the period in the Scots Guards was Robert Frederick Balfour, son of Edward Balfour, of "Balbirnie," Markinch, Fife.John Balfour, 5th of Balbirnie in Fife, Scotland had three sons, one of whom was James Balfour the grandfather of A J Balfour, the Prime Minister, and the family lived at Whittingehame, East Lothian. Captain Robert Frederick Balfour is from the Balbirnie branch.
Gentleman Cadet Robert Frederick Balfour graduated the Royal Military College to be Second Lieutenant in the Scots Guards on 24th January, 1903. Promoted Lieutenant on 29th June 1904, he became A.D.C. to Major-General Sir W. P. Pulteney, C.B., D.S.O., 6th Division, Irish Command on 1st April 1912, and was promoted Captain on the 18th January 1913. Captain Robert Frederick Balfour died aged 31 on the 28/10/1914 at Ypres; his Commonwealth War Graves Commission listing is available.
The Battalion war diary for 1st Battalion Scots Guards 27th October 1914 reads:
"In trenches near Gheluvelt, Fairly quiet day. The Chateau, gardens, and village were shelled. Killed Capt.R.F. Balfour"
1ST BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS, WAR DIARY AUGUST 4TH 1914 TO NOVEMBER 3RD 1914
Aldershot
AUGUST
4th (6 p.m.) Order to ‘mobilise’ received.
5th Three parties of reservists arrived – magnificent, clean, steady men.
6th Completed to War Establishment.
7th Battalion complete in every detail and ready to move by midnight. Horses arrived early morning.
8th Perfecting arrangements. Musketry practice and training for Reservists.
9th – 10th As on 8th.
11th Brigade route march.
12th General instructions for embarkation issued.
13th Entrained Farnboro’ Stn. For Southampton in two trains. 1st left 5.30 a.m. arrived 6.45 a.m. 2nd left 6.25 a.m. arrived 8 a.m. Battalion complete with vehicles (but without horses). Embarked on SS “Dunvegan Castle”, sailing at 12 noon. Horses followed later in SS “Orange Prince.”
The Continent
14th Arrived LE HAVRE about 1 a.m. Disembarked and marched to Camp nr. HARFLEUR (6 miles). Horses which were left behind when battalion embarked arrived at about 11 a.m.
15th – 16th Left camp at HARFLEUR at 9 p.m. for [?] Stn. Entrained by 4 a.m. and proceeded by ROUEN, AMIENS, ARRAS and CAMBRAI to LE NOUVION – billeted there the night.
17th Marched from LE NOUVION to LE BOUÉ (4 miles) and billeted there. The 1st Guards Brigade concentrated and came under orders of the Brigadier.
18th Billets BOUÉ – Brigade route march (10 miles)
19th - do -
20th - do -
21st Marched to CARTIGNIES (10 miles) and billeted there.
22nd Marched at 4. 30 a.m. by DOMPIERE. Halted for dinner near BLANFORT. At 4 p.m. ordered to billet at LIMONT FONTAINE, but this was countermanded, and at 6 p.m. marched N. through MAUBERGE and to billets at GRAND REMY.
23rd Arrived at GRAND REMY (Belgium) at 1 a.m. – Stood to arms at 4.30 a.m.
24th Left at 4 a.m. to hold line of main road about 1¼ miles to NE. On reaching this point received orders to move to a line W. of VILLERS SIRE NICOLE, and dug a line of deep trenches to resist expected move from N. At 5 p.m. moved off and marched till 10 p.m. to billets at LA LONGUEVILLE.
25th Left at 6.30 a.m. and went into billets at FASNIÈRES at 3 p.m. – the battalion being separated from the rest of the brigade.
26th Ready to leave at 5 a.m. but the road was blocked by British and French troops, and therefore only left at 7.30 a.m. rejoining the brigade (as reserve) 1½ miles W. of LE GRAND FAYT. Early in the afternoon moved back and reoccupied a line W. of ERRUART to cover retirement of 3rd Brigade. Marched on as a rear guard to REJET LE BEAULIEU, the men very exhausted and wet through before they got into billets at 10 p.m. Large numbers fell out but rejoined later.
27th Moved at 6 a.m. and dug a line of trenches covering from fire on the E. of our billets to WASIGNY through F. de L’ARRONAIRE. Very heavy rain at noon, men drenched. At 4 p.m. LF and C Coys. dropped back to cover our retirement, and we collected in ETREUX to join the brigade. A number of enemy’s patrols E. of the town so B Co. blocked roads on that side till rear guard had passed. Marched on GUISE, crossing high ground in Artillery formation. Just before the 3rd Co reached the main road, enemy opened on us with FA Howitzers and musketry, the latter at long range. Only two slight casualties. At dusk the fire died down, and there was no difficulty in getting away. Went on through GUISE to JONQUEUSE and bivouacked at 11 p.m. – men exhausted.
28th Roused Battalion with difficulty and left at 4 a.m. A most trying march, very hot and constantly impeded by 2nd Division. 1 ¼ hour halt near BRISSAY for dinners helped us along and we reached ST. GOBAIN at dusk, with the loss of relatively few men.
29th Stood to arms at 4.30 a.m. Soon after 6 a.m. a notification came that this was to be a day of rest.
30th Paraded at 12.30 a.m. and marched till 8 a.m. to TERNY to be general reserve at Army Hqrs. Bivouacked in field till 5 p.m. then marched to ALLEMANT and billeted.
31st Moved S. on PARIS-MAUBERGE road at 8 a.m. Stopped N. of SOISSONS by report of German Cavalry Corps. Marched through SOISSONS up steep hill to VAUXBUIN and bivouacked in field.
SEPTEMBER
1st Wagons packed by 3.30 a.m. Marched 6 a.m. through FORET DOMINIALE de METZ. Dinners at VILLIERS COTTERETS. Marched to LA FERTE MILON on Route de Meaux. Took up position above and S. of town before dark, slept in cornfield for a few hours. Men’s packs carried on wagons specially provided.
2nd Started at 1.30 a.m. on the MEAUX road, halted for breakfast 8 a.m. Moved on at 10.45 a.m. to CHAMBRAY arriving at 4.30 p.m. and billeted.
3rd Ordered to reinforce outposts if necessary at short notice but not required. Paraded at 3.45 a.m. for war guard, and take up position on outpost line. Commence march at 7.20 a.m. crossing the R. Marne at GERMIGNY. Stopped at ST. JEAN for dinners after hot march through BOIS DE MEAUX. Moved on to ROUANNE and billeted in an old convent.
4th Marched at 4 a.m. to COULOMMIERS. Ready to march at 7 p.m. but move cancelled till next morning.
5th Marched at 4 a.m. to NESLES. Battalion on outpost. Lt. Gordon Ives and 91 men arrived as reinforcements. Cavalry patrols bothered each company.
1st Reinforcement. Lt. Gordon Ives and 91 R and F.
6th Our Corps to move NE from ROZOY. Our outpost line relieved by 4th Brigade. Advance guard of 1st Coldstreams checked about VOINSLES and had to retire under heavy shell fire. Battalion entrenched position on right rear of brigade. General advance at 4.30 p.m. and met no opposition. Passed through VOINSLES to LE PLESSIS and bivouacked.
7th Marched at 10.35 a.m. to AMILLIS for dinners. 2nd and 3rd Brigades in front by R. Aubertin and CHOISY to LA FRENOIS – billeted.
8th Started at short notice by JOUY SUR MORIN, CHAMP MARTIN, BELLOT, where brigade was shelled from direction of VILLENEUVE. Marched on to Brigade bivouac astride HONDEVILLIERS-NOGENT road. Battalion on outpost about BASSEVILLE with Cavalry immediately in front – 4th Brigade on left. Lt. Monckton with reinforcing draft of 93 joined the battalion. 1 man wounded.
2nd Reinforcement. Lt. F. A. Monckton and 93 R and F.
9th Ready to move at 6.45 a.m. but started march later. Marched into Marne valley, crossed river at NOGENT L’ARTAUD, then by CHARLY SUR MARNE, and up steep hill to LA CAVODIERE where halted for tea. On again at 2.30 p.m. to bivouacs at LA MARETTE. Rain from midnight.
10th Breakfast at 4.30 a.m. start at 7 a.m. Still raining. Moving by LE THIOLET, TORCY, COURCHAMPS where 3rd Brigade was heavily engaged. Halted near SOMMELANS for about 1½ hours. Marched at 3.15 p.m. to LATILLY close by and billeted.
11th Breakfast at 4.30 a.m. started at 5 a.m. East by LA CROIX, ARMENTIERES, NANTEUIL, to NE of BRUYERES and halted. Rain in afternoon.
12th Breakfast at 5.30 a.m. move at 9 a.m. by FERE EN TARDENOIS to LOUPEIGNE for dinners. Move on at 4.30 p.m. by BRUYS and MONT NOTRE DAME to BAZOCHES in pouring rain. One company billeted, others bivouacked.
13th Breakfast 5.30 a.m. Crossed the Aisne at BOURG. Moved to PAGNY above OEUILLY and past the TOUR DE PAISSY to PAISSY where the battalion billeted. Some casualties from long range artillery fire.
2nd Lieutenant W. G. Houldsworth and 3 men killed.
Lt. C. J. Balfour, Lt. G. V. F. Monckton and 11 men wounded..
14th Moved at 5.30 a.m. via MOULINS and VENDRESSE to hill between that place and TROYON – 2 Companies in Brigade reserve and 2 Companies sent as artillery escort to TOUR DE PAISSY.
Maj J. T. Carpenter-Garnier , Lt. H. R. I. Jones , 2/Lt. R. A. Compton-Thornhill and 16 men killed.
Lt. Col. H. C. Lowther, 2/Lts. E. D. Mackenzie, J. Stirling Stewart and 86 men wounded, 12 men missing.
15th – 19th In trenches near VENDRESSE.
20th To billets at OEUILLY.
21st Left OEUILLY at 6 p.m. and relieved 6th Brigade in trenches near MOUSSY.
22nd – 23rd In trenches near MOUSSY.
24th Left MOUSSY for VERNEUIL and occupied trenches there.
25th In trenches at VERNEUIL.
26th Left VERNEUIL at 7 p.m. marched to OEUILLY and went into billets there.
27th Left billets at OEUILLY and marched to VENDRESSE occupying the trenches N. of that place.
September 28th - In trenches N. of VENDRESSE.
OCTOBER
October 15th Oct. 9th, 3rd Reinforcement. Lts. Sir J. S. Dyer, A. W. Douglas Dick, J. L. Wickham and 50 R and F.
16th Left trenches and marched to BLANZY, going into billets there.
Total casualties on the AISNE
Killed Wounded Missing
Officers 4 5 -
Other Ranks 37 157 12
17th Left billets at BLANZY, marched to FISMES and entrained there, leaving at 3.30 p.m.
18th Arrived at HAZEBROUCK, detrained at 6 p.m. and billeted there.
19th Billets at HAZEBROUCK.
20th Left HAZEBROUCK at 9 a.m. and marched to POPERINGHE to billets.
21st Left POPERINGHE at 5.30 a.m. and advanced to attack enemy N. of BOESINGHE in support of 4th A.C. Took up a line of trenches – B and LF at KOEKUIT, C and RF at BIXSCHOOTE. Find a Brigade of French Territorials between BIXSCHOOTE and canal, and several regiments of Cuirassiers.
22nd In trenches. French Territorials attack and try to turn Germans out of BIXSCHOOTE, but fail. They then retire to other side of canal. Camerons, Black Watch and Coldstream heavily attacked, and Camerons lose their trenches.
Killed. 2nd Lieutenant W. B. W. Lawson.
Wounded. Lt. G. F. de Teissier wounded.
23rd BIXSCHOOTE. – 2nd Brigade counter attack and retake Cameron trenches, also 250 German prisoners. C Company support their advance.
24th BIXSCHOOTE. – Heavy shelling. Germans make a trench in front of BIXSHOOTE , but are turned out by our guns leaving all their kit in the trenches.
Total casualties in the BIXSCHOOTE district
Killed Wounded Missing
Officers 1 1 -
Other Ranks 8 25 5
25th Left position at 12 midnight 24th/25th being relieved in the trenches by the French. Battalion passed night by roadside and marched to ZILLEBEKE S. of YPRES, going into billets.
26th Left Zillebeke 5.30 a.m. and marched via HOOGE and reinforced firing line on L. of 2nd Division at GHELUVELT. Made an attack over very open ground towards POZELHOEK but was held up by enemy’s artillery and machine gun fire. Took over Bedford’s trenches in the evening.
Killed: Capt. C. F. P. Hamilton.
Wounded: Lts. M. O. Roberts and J. L. Mackham.
27th In trenches nr. GHELUVELT. Fairly quiet day. The Chateau, gardens, and village were shelled.
Killed Capt. R. F. Balfour.
28th In trenches nr. GHELUVELT. Receive warning from our intelligence that the German XXVII Reserve have been brought up and will attack at 5.30 a.m. tomorrow.
Lt.R. H. Fitzroy and 2/Lt. J. Stirling Stuart joined battalion.
29th In trenches at GHELUVELT. Attack commenced punctually at 5.30 a.m. on North front. Heavy execution done by C an LF. At about 12 noon, the line on the East side near the Cross roads on the YPRES road, held by the Gloucesters, is broken, and the Coldstream and Black Watch are successively rolled up and retire. RF, ½ B Co. and 2 sections of C Co. are thus isolated and surrounded, and nothing more heard of them. 2 platoons of C Co. and ½ of LF are brought to E. side and with the help of straggles collected by Capt. Stephen hold enemy off all day and account for many Germans. 3rd Brigade is brought up in the evening and line readjusted.
Killed. Lt. Sir G. N. Ogilvy Bt.
Wounded. Capt. and Adjt. A. A. L. Stephen D.S.O. (died of wounds) , Capt. Sir A. F. Mackenzie Bt., Lt. Hon. G. H. Macdonald (missing).
Missing. Capt. C. E. de la Pasture, Lt. B. G. Jolliffe, C. F. F. Campbell, H. Fitzroy.
30th Heavy shelling. Enemy’s infantry had retired out of sight but the woods E. of GHELUVELT are full of them. The S.W. Borderers are now on our R[ight] and then Welsh and Queens across MENIN road.
31st The day commenced with very heavy shelling of the 3rd Brigade. About 11 a.m. the Welsh and Queens give. Soon after ½ Bn. S.W. Borderers retired, and ½ LF brought up to reinforce line, but enemy advanced along MENIN road, and occupied GHELUVELT village. An hour later ½ Bn. Worcester Regt. made counter attack and drove enemy out of Chateau gardens back to wood. At dusk retirement ordered to new line 1000 yds. in rear which was carried out unmolested.
Killed. Capt. W. J. Wickham.
Wounded. Major B. G. Vonde Meyer (prisoner)
NOVEMBER
1st Trenches between VELDHOEK and GHELUVELT. Dug new trenches during the night – fairly quiet day. Gloucesters on our right. In the evening Capt. Christie Miller and 200 men Coldstream Guards took over from Gloucesters and held barricade across MENIN road – the 2/K.R.R. on their right.
2nd Very heavy shelling, barricade destroyed. Coldstreams and K.R.R. driven back. Enemy advanced down MENIN road and opened fire with machine guns at our men, and also enfilade artillery fire. C Coy. drawn back so as to face road. Line readjusted in the evening – 300 yds. in rear.
Wounded. Lt. Sir I. Colquhoun Bt.
3rd VELTHOEK. New line consisted of a Bn. of Zouaves and L. N. Lancs. on MENIN road, Scots Guards, Camerons, Black Watch. Dig new trenches during night.
