Name
HENRY WILLIAM BALLAM
24/11/1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/04/1915
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
7750
East Surrey Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 34.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Wigginton Village Memorial
Pre War
Henry William Ballam was born on 24th November 1884, in Peckham, London, son of Henry William Ballam, a Sawyer (B 1861 in Newington, London and Alice Maud Ballam (nee Feneron) (B 1865 in Walworth, London). The eldest of 6 children.
1891 Census records Henry aged 6, at school, living with his parents, brothers William 5, Frederick 1 and sister Alice 3, in East Surrey Grove, Camberwell, London/Surrey.
No Census records for 1901 found for Henry.
In July 1902, aged 18 Henry enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment Militia for 6 years with the Service No. 2664. His address at the time was 6 Cator Street, Saint Georges Way, Peckham, London and his occupation was a Boot Maker. In February of 1903 he transferred to the regular Army and was posted to the East Surrey Regiment on 16th February 1903, with the Service No. 7750, signing on for 3 years in the colours and 9 years in the reserve. July of 1905, while serving in Jersey he applied to extend his service which was excepted.
It is not known when Harry married Sarah Ann (possible Sarah Ann King). The CWGC records her address as "The Hermitage" Chesham Road, Wigginton, Tring, Herts, and her war pension records give her address as Scotland Green Road, Ponders End, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of war it is assumed Henry was still serving in the army. At the time the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment were stationed in Dublin, Ireland. They were mobilized on 4th August 1914, and over the next few day the Battalion was strengthened by the arrival of over 600 reservists. On the 13th August 1914, the Battalion embarked aboard the "S.S. Botanist" sailing at 1830hrs, arriving at Le Havre docks about 12 noon on 15th August 1914. After disembarking the Battalion moved off to rest camp No. 1.
On 19th April 1915, the Battalion took up positions on Hill 60. At about 1100hrs on 20th April 1915, Hill 60, received heavy shelling from the German lines for most of the day, it was during this bombardment that Henry was killed, his body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.
Additional Information
The value of Henrys effects were £5-8s-0d, Pay Owing and £8, War Gratuity which went to his widow Sarah Ann Ballam.
Acknowledgments
Iain Duncan, Stuart Osborne
Iain Duncan, Stuart Osborne.
