WILLIAM BALTZER
Born: 1871, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
Died: 6th January 1900; age 28; KiA at Suffolk Hill, Rensburg, near Colesberg, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Residence: Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 2868.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony.
CENSUS
1871 1, Baker Street, Ipswich.
William was 2 months old and living with his parents, brother & twin sister.
(Henry William) Henrich Wilhelm Baltzer, 28, a Musician, born Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany.
(image 1917) Anna Maria Baltzer (nee Kohler), 27, born Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany.
Henry Baltzer , 2, born Stamford, Lincolnshire.
Mary Baltzer, 2 months, born Ipswich – died 1880, Ipswich.
1881 South Side, Waterworks Street, Ipswich.
William was 10 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Henry, 38, a General Repairer & Cutler.
Ann, 37.
Henry, 12.
Elizabeth Baltzer, 7, born Ipswich.
John Baltzer, 5, born Ipswich.
Arthur Frederick Baltzer, 2, born Ipswich.
On the 25th September 1885, William’s 16 year old brother, Henry Baltzer, ranked a Boy, for the Merchant Marines – H.M.S.’Reindeer’ fell over board and drowned.
One of the notable battles, with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk Hill,” at Colesberg, Northern Cape from the 5th– 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk Regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights. Four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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