BALCAM, Norman Ernest
| Service Number: | VX27160 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Yarraville, Victoria, Australia, 28 December 1919 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 14 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, VX27160 | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, VX27160 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Candice Brophy
Norman Ernest Balcam was an Australian Army soldier who served during the Second World War and endured captivity as a prisoner of war.
Early Life and Enlistment
Born on 28 December 1919 in Yarraville, Victoria, Balcam enlisted in the Australian Army on 14 June 1940 at Caulfield, Victoria. He was assigned the service number VX27160 and joined the 2/21st Australian Infantry Battalion, also known as "Gull Force" .
Service and Captivity
The 2/21st Battalion was deployed to Ambon in the Netherlands East Indies (present-day Indonesia) to defend against Japanese forces. In early 1942, the island fell to the Japanese, and Balcam, along with many of his comrades, was captured and held as a prisoner of war. He was interned in a POW camp on Ambon, where conditions were harsh and many prisoners suffered greatly.
Recognition and Discharge
Despite the hardships of captivity, Balcam's service was recognized with a Mention in Despatches, an honor noting distinguished service . He was discharged from the Australian Army on 29 November 1945 with the rank of Sergeant.
Later Life and Legacy
After the war, Balcam returned to Victoria. He passed away on 30 May 1972 and was laid to rest at Altona Memorial Park in Altona, Victoria . His name is commemorated on the Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, honoring those who endured captivity during wartime .
Balcam's story stands as a testament to the resilience and courage of Australian soldiers who faced the trials of war and captivity.
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