Family :

Education & Career :

Educated at the Latymer School, where a commemoration exists.
Traveller (1913).

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.

Detail :

Enlisted Nov., 1914 as a Private in the Hon. Artillery Company. Embarked and landed in France on 27th April 1915 and wounded at Hooge in June, 1915. Killed in Action at Beaumont Hamel.

His death is reported by the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 12th December 1916 "PREVIOUSLY REPORTED WOUNDED, NOW REPORTED DIED OF WOUNDS. BALCHIN Sec.-Lieut. J.R.A., Machine Gun Corps."

Probate BALCHIN John Richar Aubry of 180 Melrose-avenue Cricklewood Middlesex lieutenant Machine Gun Corps died 14 November 1916 in France on active service Probate London 29 March to William Leslie Foreman Balchin printer. Effects £484 6s 5d.

For his service he was in receipt of a Military Cross and also a 1915 Star (as Private with H.A.C.), together with the British War Medal and Victory medal, both posthumously sent to Mrs. Balchin at 40 Hillfield Road, West Hampstead.

LIEUTENANT RICHARD HENRY BALCHIN 152nd COMPANY, MACHINE GUN CORPS On 21st October 1991 Richard BALCHIN's medals (a set of four, Military Cross, 14-15 Star, Victory & War medals) were sold at auction by Christie's for £308 (against an estimate of £160-180). The 14-14 Star was earned whilst serving with the Honourable Artillery Company. His Military Cross citation reads: London Gazette 10.1.1917. Second Lieutenant John Richard Aubrey Balchin, Machine Gun Corps For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and determination when in charge of two machine guns. Although severely wounded, gave N.C.O. instructions to carry on, and himself continued to encourage his men Lieutenant Balchin 152 Coy M.G.C. died of wounds received 14th November, 1916 and it seems likely that his MC was earned in the action that took his life. His Company was part of the 51st Highland Division which was engaged in November 1916 in the successful assault on Beaumont Hamel as part of the Battle of the Ancre. Beaumont Hamel had frustrated all attempts at capture since the Battle of the Somme commenced on 1st July 1916.

The following obituary of him appears in the February 1917 Latymer School magazine. His Major writes: "Lieutenant J. A. Balchin died from the effects of his wounds the preceding day. I wish to convey the deep sympathy of all the officers and men of his company. He was an able officer and was well liked by all. He was wounded ably leading his section to victory."

Masonic :

Notable in the records of United Grand Lodge is the fact that William Leslie Forman Balchin, John's familial brother was also initiated on the same day.

John also joined Earl Amherst Lodge No. 3230 from Citadel Lodge on the 23rd May 1914.

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley