James Ball
- Family History
- Military History
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1901 census - Lowes Hill Ripley Derbyshire - James Ball, head, widow, 55; John, son, 20; Arthur, son, 18; Joseph, son, 14; Sarah, daur, 11; James R, son, 5; 1911 census - Outram Street Ripley, Derbsyhire - James Richard Ball, nephew, 15, single, Colliery Pony Driver, below ground, born Ripley Derby's; living with Joseph Turner and family. Joseph's wife Elizabeth Ann is probably James's sister, so brother in law and not nephew; James's mother Elizabeth was deceased by 1901. There is an Elizabeth death in 1899.
James enlisted on 31 August 1914, aged 19 years 34 days and was a collier. He was sent to the depot on 1 September 1914 and then on 3rd September to the 3rd Reserve battalion in Plymouth. After training he was posted to 1st battalion on 2 May 1915. On 5 July 1916 he was appointed paid Lance Corporal. James was wounded on 4th March 1917 when the battalion made an attack to take the ridge immediately south of St Pierre Vaast Wood, Somme. The barrage opened at 5.15 am but the enemy replied with their own artillery within a few minutes, this causing casualties. The men entered the enemy trench as they were emerging from their dugouts. Men remained in Pallas Trench mopping up whilst the assaulting troops carried on to Pallas Support. Enemy posts were assaulted and eventually taken. The stretcher bearers succeeded in evacuating nearly all of the wounded but also paid a heavy price. By 6.15 am all objectives had been taken and despite four enemy counter attacks, successfully held. The cost had been high with initial reports giving 35 killed and 67 wounded. James was successfully moved to the Aid Station but died of his wounds on 5th. John Morse
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