My Grandfather served in the 7th Seaforths in Palestine and in WWII. His name was Cyril James Balaam, from Ipswich originally but living in Northumberland. He died on Luneburg Heath on 30th April 1945. He is buried in the CWGC plot in Hamburg. Any information anyone might have about the 7th Seaforths will be most gratefully received.
Welcome and enjoy.!!! 7th Seaforth never served in Palestine. It was formed at the outbreak of war, when the territorial army was doubled in size. 7th Seaforth remained in Great Britain until the Normandy landings. 7th went ashore as part of the 15th Scottish Division on 16th June 1944. 7th Seaforth were disbanded January 1946, stationed in Keil.
Welcome to the forum. Would be worth getting his nearest survivng relative to apply for his Service records. Patrick Delaforce's book Monty's Northern Legions has this to say on page 207, regarding that day. By the end of the 30th the Cameronians had accounted for forty Germans and captured 142 , but suffered forty casualties themselves. A wooded hill, Zucher Holz, a mile north , was also strongly held, and the Seaforths took four hours to clear it, accounting for seventy of the determined opposition. The Seaforths had thirty casulaties in the wood clearing action. Map from same book page 205 & close up of Seaforths at Zucher Holz Map calls it Zucker Holz or Sugar Wood. GoogleMaps image. Enter 'Zucker Holz Basedow' into Google Maps, it will take you right to it. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&hl=en-GB&rlz=1T4DSGI_en-GB&q=zucker%20holz%20basedow&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl I wonder who else your Grandfather may have served with as by this time in the war the infantry units were having lots of replacements from other regiments such as ex-anti-aircraft gunners.
Hi and welcome to the forum, His service records should confirm all of his locations as Owen said. However seeing that he died over 20 years ago I believe you don't need to get a next of kin to apply for his records. Cheers Andy
His name was Cyril James Balaam, from Ipswich Don't suppose he is related to Ron Balaam. I was an apprentice to him in Ipswich.
My Grandfather served in the 7th Seaforths in Palestine and in WWII. His name was Cyril James Balaam, from Ipswich originally but living in Northumberland. He died on Luneburg Heath on 30th April 1945. He is buried in the CWGC plot in Hamburg. Any information anyone might have about the 7th Seaforths will be most gratefully received. Hi. Your mother,Lillian, is a cousin of mine and my father was Stanley Ralph Balaam, a brother of Cyril Balaam. My Dad also served in the Seaforth Highlanders. If you want any further information do not hesitate to email me Yrs Richard
My great uncle served with them as well, John scotland he married a German woman at then end of the war
