The AIF Project

Michael BALKIN

Regimental number4254
Place of birthTamworth, New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationLabourer
AddressTamworth, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation37
Height5' 11"
Weight185 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs S Balkin, Tamworth, New South Wales
Enlistment date12 October 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll12 October 1915
Place of enlistmentHolsworthy, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Battalion, 13th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/19/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A6 Aeneas on 20 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll54th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19-20 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFromelles, France
Date of death19 July 1916
Age at death37
Place of burialFromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery (Plot IV, Row A, Grave No 6), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
158
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to and proceeded to 54th Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; joined 54th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 20 July 1916.

Now, 24 January 1917, reported wounded and missing, 19/20 July 1916.

Identification disc received from Germany. No particulars afforded except that the soldier is deceased. To be reported killed in action, 19/20 July 1916, on the authority of the Assistant Adjutant General, ANZAC Section, War Office, 13 March 1917.

Translation of German report, 23 October 1919, 'Identification Disc handed over by the Intelligence Officer with the 6th Army Headquarters Staff through Central Office for Deceased Estates 12/10/16. Australian Solider M. Balkin, Iden. Disc 4254, 54th A. Battalion, fell in the neighbourhood of Fromelles, 19 July 1916.'

Handwritten version of the B.103 has the entry that was subsequently crossed out, 'adm to No 2 ACCS and trans to Ambul Train GSW Face 20/7/16'.

Red Cross File No 210301: 'Identity disc received from Germany and despatched to N/K. 20.6.17.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated at V.C. Corner, Australian Cemetery, Fromelles; subsequently (2010) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France.
Miscellaneous detailsMother d. 28 June 1923.
SourcesNAA: B2455, BALKIN Michael
Red Cross file 210301

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