John Alfred Ball
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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John Alfred Ball was born in 1898 the son of William Henry a lace maker and Sarah Jane Ball (née White). William Henry was born in 1864 at Nottingham, his mother Sarah Jane White in 1867 at Basford, Nottingham. Married in 1886, they had the following children, Mabel b.1889 Radford, Sarah Ann b.1892 Radford, William Henry b.1894 Long Eaton, Francis b.1896 Long Eaton and John Alfred b.1898 Lenton. In 1911, the family was living at 184, Burford Road, Nottingham. Sarah Ann was a lace mender, William Henry a cane worker, Francis 15 a Levers draughtsman whilst John Alfred was still at school. William Henry and Sarah Jane Ball later lived at 52, Noel Street, Hyson Green.
John Alfred Ball (formerly 4686) enlisted at Nottingham whilst living in the city at Hyson Green. He was killed in action during the diversionary attack on German positions at Gommecourt on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
John Alfred’s elder brother Francis Ball enlisted aged 18 years and 122 days on 7th October 1913 at Nottingham, whilst living in the city at 52, Noel Street, Hyson Green. He served with the Royal Field Artillery as a saddler. He was embodied on 5th August 1914, left Devonport on 23rd June 1917 and disembarked at Basra on 13th August 1917. He served throughout the war in Mesopotamia. At the end of the war, he was sent to India and saw action on the Afghan Frontier. Eventually returning to England, he was discharged on 14th December 1919. Research by Peter Gillings
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