Balfour, George James (1897 - 1916)

Second Lieutenant, 6th Bn. Highland Light Infantry

Buried at Delville Wood Cemetery

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

The younger son of Mr. Andrew Balfour, F.R.I.B.A., architect, Glasgow,and Mrs. Balfour, Rostrevor, Bridge of Weir, Lieutenant George J. Balfour was educated at Hillhead High School and Glasgow High School. On leaving School he entered the service of Messrs. Nobels, Limited. On the outbreak of war, though he was only seventeen years of age, he joined the 6th H.L.I. as a private, and after twelve months' service he was granted a commission in his own regiment--a rare and signal honour and a high tribute to his worth. In July, 1916, he proceeded to the Front on active service, and was attached to the Northumberland Fusiliers. He saw much fierce fighting, and fell in action at the head of his men on the 15th September, 1916, when the British captured Flers, Martenpuich, Courcelette, and High Wood. The colonel of the regiment, in a letter to Lieutenant Balfour's parents, writes, "I am very sorry that the continuous fighting in which we have been engaged has prevented me writing you sooner to convey to you my own deepest sympathy, and that of every officer and man in my regiment, in your great loss. Your son fell gallantly leading his men in an attack in which they did magnificently, and it will be some little consolation to you to know that his life was not sacrificed in vain. He is buried on the battlefield where he fell. He was an excellent officer, and beloved by all of us, and we shall miss him very much and share your sorrow."