BALAAM, George


No.13245, Private, George BALAAM
Aged 25


7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Wednesday, 9th August 1917


George Balaam was born in Troston in 1892 (Thingoe Q2-1892 4A:767), son of Harry and Sarah Anne BALAAM (née COE).

1901 census...Aged 8 he was at The Common, Troston with his father Harry BALAAM [40] farm labourer born Honington; his mother Sarah Anne [42]; sisters Bessy [12], Lily [10], Violet [3] and Alice [8 months]; brother Benjamin [6]. All except his father were born in Troston.

1911 census...Aged 18, a farm labourer, he was in Troston with his widower father, with sister Elizabeth as housekeeper, sisters Violet, Alice and Marjorie Emmie [4]. His mother had died in 1908. Brother Benjamin was at Troston with his grandparents ? William LANE [60] horseman born Ixworth Thorpe and Betsy [68] born Honington.

The pension card has father Harry at 50 Great Livermere.

His younger brother Benjamin had been killed in France in 1916 with the Middlesex Regiment. see here




He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
The 7th Suffolks had been rehearsing in the Monchy area over dummy trenches designed from aerial photographs. On 9th August they were part of three Brigades (in the 35th Brigade) that attacked simultaneously. As soon as it was light the artillery opened a barrage on a belt of enemy trenches 2,000 yards long, 300 yards deep. 350 strong, the battalion left their caves in their HQ line and at 0745, accompanied by demolition parties from the Royal Engineers, moved forward under a creeping barrage. Heading towards Bois du Vert and the Mound, the prisoners soon trickled in. As soon as the German 1st line was reached a box barrage was put down and his second line raided. Although the casualties were heavy, valuable information was gained, 69 prisoners and two machine guns were brought back

CWGC records show 39 were killed of the battalion, 29 having no known grave.



photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



George Balaam is commemorated on the Arras memorial, bay 4

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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