Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Sydney Balmer was born at Chatton, near Wooler, Northumberland during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/ Dec) 1897, one of 8 known children he was 6th born of 7 sons and 1 daughter. His father Frederick Balmer native of Ford, near Berwick-upon-Tweed and mother Mary Ann Halliday of Wooler, Northumberland were born 1851 and 1866 respectively. They married in 1885 in the district of Glendale 2 years after the birth of their daughter Jane in 1883. They were living with their 3 children at Cheviot Street, Wooler in 1891, also in their home was Robert Halliday (22), he and Frederick were labourers. Ten years later Frederick was working at the stocking yard as a cattle man at Middleton Hall, Ilderton, a country house standing in 30 acres, his eldest son Robert Albert (14) worked the land.
In 1911 Sydney (11) was not living with his family, he was an, “inmate” at Green’s Home Industrial School, Mile End Road, South Shields, County Durham, a private house donated by the Rev. Robert Green, certified as a branch of the ship, "Wellesley.” They received boys up to the age of 12 who were then drafted into the “Wellesley” for training in seamanship. He and his family eventually moved to Gateshead, County Durham where he was employed at Redheugh Gas Works.
On the outbreak of war Sydney was 17 years of age, not yet old enough to enlist, which he did aged 19 years 10 months, May 14th 1917 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Appointed to the Training Reserve Battalion Durham Light Infantry but by July 10th 1917 had been transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment for duty with the Tyne Garrison. He departed with the British Expeditionary Force October 29th 1917 having been transferred to the 8th Battalion Staffordshire Regiment as Private 51758 joining his regiment in the field during the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium, then transferred to the 16th Battalion until November 5th 1917 when he was posted to the 1/6th Battalion Cheshire Regiment. The 1/6th was also on the Ypres salient in Belgium until moving back to the Somme where they fought March 21-23rd 1918 at the Battle of St Quentin, the 1st Battle of Bapaume March 24-25th and the Battle of Rosieres March 26th-27th, phases of the First Battles of the Somme.
Private 51758 Sydney Balmer was wounded in the thigh and taken by the Field Ambulance to the 41st Casualty Clearing Station at Namps-Au-Val where he died March 28th 1918 and interred at Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, Somme France, grave I. E. 4. The Records Office in York were informed March 29th 1918 via a telegram from France.His mother Mary Ann was unaware of his death until she received a telegram from the Records Office in York at 10.15 a.m. April 9th at her home address of 13, Morrison Street, Gateshead-on-Tyne, which reads, “Deeply regret to inform you that your son 51758 Pte S Balmer Cheshire Regiment died 28/3/18 from Gun Shot Wound thigh at 41 Casualty Clearing Station France. I am to convey the sympathy and regret of the Army Council in your sad bereavement FROM Records”.
Mary Ann also received as his sole beneficiary all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Mary Ann Balmer nee Halliday died in 1922 aged 56 years registered in the district of Gateshead, details of father unknown.
It should be noted the CWGC list Sydney as being 19, he was actually 20 years of age.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Sydney Balmer is remembered at Redheugh on R43.01 and at Teams on T68.02
