Balkam, Marshall Edwin
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Marshall Edwin |
Surname | Balkam |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-08-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Edward McLellan Balkam and Gladys Ruth Balkam (née Sadler), of Milltown, New Brunswick |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington X |
Serial Number | HE906 |
Markings | QO-H |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 172. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 126 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/22479 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 432 (Leaside) |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Miscellaneous Information
Marshall was born at Baltimore, USA on 19 January 1921. His father(died 1941) was a Civil Engineer born in St. Stephen. New Brunswick and his mother was born at Calais, Maine. USA. (both were Canadian citizens, as was Marshall). He had a brother, Hugh Sadler Balkam. He attended Milltown School 1927-1935 (grade 8) Milltown High School 1936-1938 (grade 11. Jnr. Matric); Mount Allison Uni, Sackville N.B. 1938-1939 (I year Commerce) University of Maine, Orono, Maine, 1939-1940 (Commerce). His sport interests were tennis and football. He was working as an Office Clerk at Border Garage, St Stephen, N.B.1949-1941 but left when his father died. He then worked as Houseman and bus driver..Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta 1941-1941. Then worked for himself in the wholesale ice business 1941 -1941 until enlisting. |
After enlisting on 9 October 1941 and early training he embarked on 24 October 1942. He arrived at 4 A.O.S on 28 December 1942 and then went on to 3 PRC on 2 March 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 02-08-1943 |
End Date | 03-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Skipton on Swale |
Day/Night Raid | Night (3% moon) |
Operation | Hamburg. 740 aircraft, 30 losses (4.1%). The raid failed due to a large thunderstorm over the target. Many crews turned back of bombed alternative targets. At least four aircraft were Lost due to icing. No PFF marking took place and bombing was scattered as a result. Many nearby towns were bombed, particularly Elmshorn due to a house being struck by lightning and crews spotting the fire through the clouds. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed into the sea |