Ernest Ball
- Family History
- Military History
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Ernest Ball was born in 1896 in Stanton Hill and was the son of John a coal miner and Lucy Ball nee Till of 27 Alcroft Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. His father John was born in 1872 in Tibshelf, Derbys and his mother Lucy Till was born in 1873 in Derby, they were married in 1892 in Mansfield and went on to have 8 children, Eva May b1894 Blackwell, Ernest b1896 Stanton Hill, Sophia Ann b1898 Creswell, Maria b1901 Creswell, Lucy Doris b1903 Creswell, William Eric b1905 Creswell, Frank b1907 Creswell, and Stella b1910 Creswell. In the 1911 census the family are living at 6 Skinner Street, Creswell and are shown as John William 39 yrs a coal miner he is living with his wife Lucy 38 yrs and their children, Eva May 17 yrs, Ernest 15 yrs , Sophia Ann 13 yrs Maria 11 yrs, Lucy Doris 8 yrs, William Eric 6 yrs, Frank 4 yrs and Stella 1 yr
Private Ernest Ball, enlisted at Mansfield whilst residing in Mansfield Woodhouse, he initially served with the service number 13977 in the Leicestershire Regiment before transferring to the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He landed in France on 11th March 1915 and was killed in action on 9th May 1915 his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
An article published in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times published 9th July 1915 reads :- MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE HERO MISSING. “We are sorry to learn that up to the present no further news of Private Ernest Ball has been received. Previous to his joining the colours, Ball resided with his parents in Allcroft-street. He was a member of the St. Edmund's Church Bible Class, and was much liked by his associates. Although of a very quiet and reserved disposition he was no shirker but anxious to do service for his country. He joined the 2nd Lincs. on Sept. 3rd. From Grimsby— where he became attached to many friends — he was drafted to France on the 11th March, and was in action at Ypres and Neuve Chapelle. He went into action with his Company on the 9th of May, at Ypres, since which date nothing has been seen or heard of him. His parents have endeavoured to get news of their son, but we regret to say, no trace of him has been found. We tender to them our sympathy in their very trying suspense. Since the 8th May a parcel and eight letters have been addressed to Private Ball, none of which have, however, been returned. His full address was 13946 Private Ernest Ball, 25th Brigade, 2nd Lincs., 8th Division, “A” Company. Should any comrade note this paragraph and can give any information, Mr. and Mrs. Ball would no doubt be for ever thankful to receive it.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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