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The information displayed here is at the time of death.
Balmer was born in Egglestone, Darlington on 23 March 1897, to Jonathan, a farmer, and Jane Elizabeth Kidd (nee Beadle). He had a brother George Robert.
He was educated at North Eastern County School (now Barnard Castle School) from 1910 until 1915 where he boarded. He then lived in Jesmond and attended Armstrong College, studying Electrical Engineering.
Balmer enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers in December 1915. He was gazetted as Second Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps, 137th Company in March 1917. He served in France from 1917 to 1918.
Balmer received gunshot wounds to his head and legs on 16th March 1918. He died in No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Bethune, on 19th March 1918, aged 20.
Balmer is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, in Pas De Calais in France.
Balmer is also commemorated on a memorial panel at Barnard Castle School, Durham, where he was a former pupil.
UK Census registers, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)
UK Military Service Records, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)
Newcastle University Archives (Roll of Service, Armstrong College Calendars, The Northerner Student Magazine)
North East War Memorials Project
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Sophie Anderton, Ian Johnson, Holly Johnson, Pat Burgess. Amy Shiel