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Sapper William Curtis Balch

Portrait of a soldier wearing a peak hat. He has a moustache. Chest pockets, buttons and collar dogs can be seen.

Spr. Balch
Ca. 1914. VAC. “Balch, Curtis.” CVWM. Accessed 30 March 2017.

CEF no. 5047

Sapper Balch was born in Caterham, Great Britain, 15 May 1892. He immigrated to Canada with his parents Sarah and James Balch. Prior to the war, he lived in London, ON, and worked as a clothing cutter. He joined the 7th Field Company, Canadian Engineers in August 1914, but served with the 1st Field Company, 1st Canadian Division Engineers of the CEF. Spr. Balch was killed during the Battle of the Somme on 7 September 1916.

He is commemorated on page 49 of the First World War Book of Remembrance (Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill).

Grave: Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

A card typed with handwriting in red and blue ink. The card is dated "May 20 1920" and "Jan 28 1922".

Spr. Balch Medals Card
1922.LAC. “Sapper William Curtis Balch (5047).” Accessed 21 February 2017.