In Usworth (Holy Trinity) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave of :-

18351 Private
F. Balmer
Royal Inniskilling Fus.
8th July 1916.

William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-

Fredrick (known as Fred) was born at High Spen in 1888.

He married Lilian Howey at Chester le Street 1911. The couple set up home at 7 Eden Terrace, Oxhill, Stanley soon afterwards. He worked as a coal miner hewer.

Fred enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was sent to France with his regiment on October 4th 1915.

He died of wounds July 8th 1916 at Suffolk (Auxiliary) Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.

His pension records state Lillian was living at 29 Second Street South Moor

Fred was awarded 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service.

Frederick Balmer is remembered at Usworth on U9.01