ARCHIBALD WALTER BALAAM

“DICK”

Born: 1893, Ipswich.

Died: 14th July 1917; age 24; KiA.

E.A.D.T. – Friday, 27^th July 1917 – Mr. Walter Balaam, of 51, St. John’s Road, Ipswich, has received official information that his son, Gunner Archibald Walter Balaam (340350), has been killed. Gunner Archibald Balaam (known to most of his friends as “Dick”) was a most popular lad, and for several years was chief clerk and cashier to Mr. Charles Bernard Kirby, mineral water manufacturer, at St. Helen’s Street, Ipswich. In a letter to the parents, the Chaplain says: “I am the writer to you of very sad news. It concerns your son, Gunner Archibald W. Balaam (R.G.A.). I am sorry to say he has been killed. On Saturday morning (14^th July), he was sleeping in his billet when a shell burst through, and he was killed in his sleep. His end was, therefore, swift and painless. I buried the body in a quiet little cemetery a few miles behind the front line. I want to offer our deepest sympathy and our prayer that you may be comforted. Your son has died in a righteous cause, and God is not unmindful of such sacrifice.” Gunner Archibal Balaam had only been in France about three months.

Evening Star – Monday, 30^th July 1917 – Mr. and Mrs. Balaam, of 51, St. John’s Road, wish to thank the many kind friends for letters and expressions of sympathy they have received in their sad bereavement in the loss of their dear son, Gunner Archibald Balaam, killed in France.

Residence: 51, St. John’s Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: Chief Clerk and Cashier to Mr. Charles Bernard Kirby – Mineral Water Manufacturer, at St. Helen’s Street, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Gunner; Service Number: 340350

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery, Essex & Suffolk, 351st Siege Battery.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Archibald was killed at the same time as 32 year old Robert Steele, a Gunner, service number 143631, for the Royal Garrison Artillery, 351 Battery. Robert was born in Bucknall, Staffordshire, the son of Thomas Steele & Margaret Ann Steele (nee Dennis). In 1906, Robert married Nellie Nixon; they had five children and made their family home in Hanley, Stoke on Trent, where Robert was a coal miner and hewer.

Robert was laid to rest next to Archibald in grave IV.C.12.

Grave Reference:

IV.C.11.

Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery,

West-Vlaanderen,

Belgium.

Relatives Notified & Address: Second son of Walter A. Balaam, of 51, St. John’s Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   97, Hervey Street, Ipswich.

Archibald was 8 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Walter Albert Balaam, 36, a Gas Fitter for Messrs. Strean and Son, born St. Clement’s, Ipswich.

Sarah Maria Balaam (nee Paternoster), 47, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.

Evelyn May Balaam, 11, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.

Joshua Stanley Balaam, 10, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.

Reginald Cecil Balaam, 5, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.

1911   51, St. John’s Road, Ipswich.

Archibald was 18 years old, a Coal Merchant’s Clerk. He was living with his parents & siblings.

Walter, 45, a Lawn Mower Fitter.

Sarah, 56.

Evelyn, 21, a Waitress in a Cafe.

Joshua, 20, a Poor Law Clerk.

Reginald, 15, an Errand Boy.

Soldiers’ Effects to Walter A. Balaam & Sarah M. Balaam – parents.

The Royal Garrison Artillery, The RGA, developed from fortress-based artillery fixed positions, mainly coastal fortresses and batteries. In 1914, the army had only a small number of heavy artillery pieces. The RGA grew as the warfare became static. They were armed with heavy, large-calibre guns and howitzers positioned some way behind the front line and had immense destructive power.