Driver 429, later 532173, William Frederick Baulcomb of 490 Field Company, Royal Engineers, was born at Eastbourne, the son of Thomas J and Harriett Sophia Baulcomb of 16 Oakhurst Road.

The 1911 census records that Thomas, aged 53, was a compositor, born at Balcombe. Harriett, referred to by her second name of Sophia, aged 56, was born at Tonbridge. The couple had been married for thirty two years and had produced nine children, all of which survived childhood. Children recorded, all born Eastbourne, are Albert, aged 29, and working as a plumber, William, aged 18, working as a decorator and Ethel, aged 15.

Some of his service record has survived, albeit somewhat burnt and difficult to read. He was embodied into the Army on the 17th of August 1914, aged 21 years and 5 months. Initially his service number was 429 and he was with 1 Home Counties Field Company, although the dates are uncertain. His religion was given as C of E and, following embodiment, he remained in the UK until going to France on the 19th of December 1915.

As well as his parents, his next of kin were brothers Albert, aged 38 of 79 Green Street, Thomas Henry, aged 35 of 5 Bay Pond Cottages and sisters Annie Hunnisett, aged 40, of 31 Oakhurst Road, Ellen Watkins, aged 36 of 10 Mona Road, Edith Hall, aged 34, of 22 St Mary's Road, Louisa Hoare of 45 Pickering Road, Carnaby (?), Emily Luke of 14 The Broadway, Fulham and Ethel Trasker, aged 24, of 16 Oakhurst Road.

He seems to have been in trouble twice, he first was for being late on parade, reported by Lt Herbert and Sgt Hatching, the date is not clear but he received one days' CB (Confined to Barracks). The other occasion was on the 26th of February 1916 when he forfeited three days pay for being absent from a bathing parade.

William was killed in action in Belgium on the 16th of September 1917 aged 24 and is buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery south of Ypres. He is remembered on the grave of his parents. Harriett Sophia, died on the 22nd of February 1929 at the age of 75 and Thomas, died on the 5th of March 1931 at the age of 73.

His effects consisted of a disc, a coin, a ring, a horseshoe charm and a wallet containing photographs and cards, these were sent to his mother. 

[The spelling of the surname of Baulcomb, it appears nine times in the CWGC records, four of those are also listed on the Eastbourne War Memorial.]