| Regimental number | 4254 |
| Place of birth | Tamworth, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Tamworth, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 37 |
| Height | 5' 11" |
| Weight | 185 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs S Balkin, Tamworth, New South Wales |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Holsworthy, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 2nd Battalion, 13th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/19/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A6 Aeneas on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 54th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Fromelles, France |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 37 |
| Place of burial | Fromelles (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 details | Mother d. 28 June 1923. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BALKIN Michael
Red Cross file 210301 |
Postal Address:
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Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
