
Oliver Herbert Ball
He was educated at Nottingham High School,he had entered the school on January 17th 1900, aged eight he served two years under the command of Captain Trotman in the OTC, Oliver was to leave in July 1907 and then continued his education at the University College, Nottingham. He was employed at the Nottingham head office of the Union of London and Smith’s Bank at the time he enlisted.
- Family History
- Military history
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He was the the third son of Mr Alfred Holmes and Emma Ball of 'Sunnyside' 7 Nelson Road Daybrook (CWGC). His father was a laundry manager. He was also the brother of Emma Georgina, Walter William, Mabel Holmes and Percy Edward Ball. Walter was also killed fighting with the same battalion.
On the 28th September 1916 the 10th Battalion Green Howards were in the trenches near Fricourt consolidating the ground they had recently gained. A few German shells fell on the positions on a continuous basis. At about 8pm the shelling became much heavier onto the front line positions and as a result a Captain W.R. Knott was wounded and 2nd Lieut Oliver H. Ball was killed by shrapnel and explosionHe was buried in the Guards Cemetery Lesboeufs, France (grave ref. VI. P. 10).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Peace perfect peace' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 6 & 7 October 1916: ‘Ball. Died of wounds, September 28th, Second-Lieut. Oliver H Ball, Yorkshire Regiment, dearly-loved third son of Alfred Holmes and Emma Ball, Sunnyside, Daybrook, aged 25.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)