Percy's medal card record shows that he arrived at the Balkans on 2nd July 1915. Just 42 days later he would be dead.
Percy was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.
Ten years later in 1911, Percy is still living with his parents but now they are at 3, March Vale Terrace which was presumably somewhere up near March Vale Rise, off Park Road near the Cricket Club. Second son Charles is still living at home as well, but eldest brother George has flown the roost. Charles is listed as a Chipper at Cadeby Colliery as is a boarder Herbert Bell. Percy is listed as being a Fitter, and his father, now 61 is still working at Cadeby with his sons as a 'Colliery Hanger-on'. Working as a Fitter I am sure was no less dirty or dangerous than a labourer, but is a certain step up and shows he has a trade.
Percy Balmforth
The Conisbrough and Denaby 100 Project
Percy was a Private in the 6th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment when he died at Gallipoli in Turkey. Percy received the three medals British, Victory and Star. He had disembarked at the Balkans just 42 days earlier.
Born in around 1884, In the 1901 census Percy is one of six children of William and Mathilda Balmforth, the youngest son (although he had three younger sisters) and is living on West Street, Conisbrough. Percy and his two elder brothers George (the eldest) and Charles are all listed rather colloquially as being 'Labourer down mine'; a very physical job which would have required a lot of hard work and sweat. Their father William is listed as what appears to read 'Hanger on of eval corbes' but I am not sure what the last two words actually say.
