Francis Matthew Ball
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Francis Matthew Ball was born in 1898 in Warsop and was the son of Arthur, a journeyman bricklayer, and Mary Booth Ball née Wells. His father was born in 1863 in Warsop, his mother Mary Booth Wells in 1862, also in Warsop. They were married in 1886 and went on to have 6 children, sadly one was to die in infancy. Their surviving children, all born in Warsop, were: Arthur b1887, James b1888, Walter b1892, Alfred b1896, and Francis Matthew b1898. In the 1911 census the family was living at 61 High Street, Warsop and were shown as Arthur Ball 48 yrs a journeyman bricklayer, who was living with his wife Mary Booth Ball and their children James 22 yrs a journeyman bricklayer, Walter 18 yrs a colliery clerk, Alfred 15 yrs an apprentice joiner and Francis Matthew 13 yrs a worker on a farm. His brother James served with the South Staffordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 12 October 1917. Their parents were still living at 61 High Street, Warsop, when Francis was killed in 1918.
Pte. Francis Mathew Ball enlisted in Mansfield in October 1916 and served with the 2/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). He died of wounds at the Canadian Stationary Hospital on 22nd May 1918 and was buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 2.
His brother Lance Corporal James Ball, served with the 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He was killed in action aged 29 on 12th October 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Article published 31st May 1918 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “WARSOP SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS. “Mr. and Mrs. A. Ball, of High-street, received notification from the War Office on Monday morning [27th May 1918] that their youngest son, Private Francis Matthew Ball, West Riding Regiment, died of wounds on May 22nd, in the Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullans, [sic] France. Private Ball enlisted in October, 1916, and previous to joining up was employed at Clipstone Camp. His loss will be keenly felt by his many friends in Warsop, and much sympathy is felt also for Mr. and Mrs. Ball and family in their great trouble. It is but seven months since they lost another of their sons fighting for his King and country.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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