John Ball
- Family History
- Military History
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John (known as Jack) Ball was born in 1897 at Nottingham and was the son of Thomas West a pig dealer and Elizabeth Ann Ball née Smith of 51 Ossington Street, Nottingham. His father Thomas West Ball was born in 1863 at Ilkeston and his mother Elizabeth Ann Smith was born in 1862 at Riddings, they were married in 1885 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration District, they went on to have 7 children, sadly three were to die in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were, Francis William b1887 Ilkeston, Elizabeth Ann b1889 Ilkeston, William b1892 lkeston and John Ball b1897 Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family lived at 51 Ossington Street Radford Nottingham and were shown as Thomas West Ball 48 yrs a pig dealer, he is living with his wife Elizabeth Ann 49 yrs and their children, Francis William 24 yrs a shop keeper, Elizabeth Ann 22 yrs no occupation listed, William 19 yrs a carter and John 14 yrs a scholar.
Gunner John (Jack) Ball, was called up for service on 17th May 1916 and he reported for serice on 23rd May 1916 at Nottingham, he was 19 yrs and 82 days old, he was a meat porter and living at 53 Ossington Street, Nottingham, his father Thomas West of the same address was his next of kin. Posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery he served as a gunner and on 18th January was posted to the 18th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. He landed at Salonika on 18th December 1916 and died of malaria in Greece on 1st August 1917. He is buried in Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston. (grave ref. A 40).
His brother Francis William Ball was also called up for service on 17th May 1916 being given the next service number to his brother of 80822, he was 29 yrs and 133 days old and was a pork butcher living with his father at 53 Ossington Street, Nottingham. He was also posted to the 18th Heavy battery on 18th January 1917, he landed in Salonika on 29th December 1916. He survived the war and was returned to England on 7th February 1919 and demobilised on 3rd April 1919. 'Roll of Honour', 7th August 1917, Nottingham Evening Post :- “BALL. – Died of malaria, Jack, dearly-loved and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ball, Ossington-street, Radford, Nottingham, aged 20.” 'In memoriam', 1st August 1918, Nottingham Evening Post :- “BALL. – In loving memory of Jack, dearly loved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ball, Ossington-street, Nottingham, who died in hospital abroad August 1st, 1917, driver Royal Garrison Artillery. “BALL. – In loving memory of Jack, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Ball, who died abroad August 1st, 1917. – Walter, Flora, and Edith. “BALL. – In memory of Driver Jack Ball, died of malaria abroad, August 1st, 1917. Remembered. – E.M Above notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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