Charles Henry Balaam

Born: 24 February 1895

Died: 20 April 1917

Rank and Regiment: Private 200181 of the 1st and 4th Battalions in the Norfolk Regiment

Resting Place: Deir el Belah War Cemetery, Israel

Memorials: St. George’s, Hardingham, United Kingdom

Charles was born on 24th February 1895. His half-brother was fellow veteran, John Scase. In his youth, he is recorded as being admitted to Hardingham Church of England School on 23th April 1900, leaving on 6th April 1908 to become an agricultural labourer.

He displayed a certain character while at the school, appearing to have been one of only two boys to have been beaten during the period 1897-1912. On 22 February 1907 we read: “C. Balaam whipped for stamping on floor (twice) when spoken to by Mrs Redford”.

According to the Hardingham War Memorial Register, he enlisted in the “3rd Norfolks” in 1913. He was sent to the Dardanelles in June 1915, and was subsequently invalided home. He was sent out again in May 1916. He died of his wounds in hospital while serving with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 20 April 1917, and is buried at Deir el Belah War Cemetery, Israel.

Deir el Belah War Cemetery, Israel