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Casulaty Details

 
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Name: John Richardson BALMER
Casualty No.: Ranks: Private Initials: J R Service No.: 20/160
Date of Birth : - Place of Birth : Teams, Gateshead Age at Death: 39
Unit: 20th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish).
Former Unit(s):
Place Enlisted: Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
Place of Residence: Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Home Address: 6 Burnt Houses, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Previous Address:
Civilian Employment: Miner at Greenside Colliery.
How Died: Died of sickness.
Date of Death: Tuesday 19th June 1917
Place of Death: At home.
Battle/Campaign:
Locally Commemorated: Ryton War Memorial, Station Bank, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham Greenside War Memorial, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. St John's Church, Roll of Honour, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
UK Commemorated: -
Overseas Commemorated: -
Buried: North part of St. John's Churchyard Cemetery, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co Durham.
Decoration and Medals:
Photographs: 2
Service Records: Yes
Death Notice/Obituary:
Family Details:
Son of Thomas and Mary Balmer, formerly of Kenton, Northumberland. Husband of Isabella Balmer of 6 Burnt Houses, Greenside, Ryton, Co. Durham. John married Isabella Gibson (widow) at Spennymoor, Co. Durham, 8th October 1910. John Kirby Johnson and Margaret Johnson witnessed the marriage. Children: Edith Gibson, born 23rd July 1902 at Spennymoor, Co. Durham. Stanley Balmer, born 9th March 1903 at Low Gosforth, Northumberland. Vera Gibson, born 7th July 1904 at Spennymoor, Co. Durham. Thomas William Gibson, born 24th March 1907. Nora Balmer, born 14th January 1910 at Low Gosforth, Northumberland. Isabella Balmer, born 7th February 1912 at Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. John Richardson Balmer, born 13th October 1915 at Gateshead, Co. Durham.
Notes : John attested for war service at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, 28th October 1914, and was posted to Depot on 10th September 1916. He served at home from 28th October 1914 to 8th January 1916 (one year and 73 days). He then served in France from 9th January to 9th September 1916 (244 days). He served at home from 10th September 1916 until 4th January, 1917 (117 days). Total service: two years and sixty nine days. John was discharged as being medically unfit for service following a prolonged period of illness, suffering from chronic nephritis. The origin of the illness was attributed to stress and exposure to wet weather conditions while on active service, on or about 20th July 1916 at Bethune. His Silver War Badge was applied for on 3rd January 1917. John spent time in the VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Hospital, Alnwick, Northumberland: 5th May 1915 to 15th May 1915 (10 days, no reason given). He was admitted to Abbot's Barton Hospital, Canterbury, Kent, 10th September 1916 until 29th November 1916 (81 days). He was then transferred to a military hospital at Shorncliffe, Kent, and then discharged as permanently unfit, 14th December 1916.
Sources Used: Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register.
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