Actions

William George Ball

From Our Contribution

Revision as of 21:56, 5 November 2018 by Linton (talk | contribs)
William George Ball
Unknown.png
Personal Information
Date of Birth c1894
Place of Birth Wraxall, Somersetshire, England
Death 14 Oct 1917
Place of Death Passchendaele, Belgium
Age at Enlistment 21 years, 7 months
Description 6'0" (1.83m) tall ; 143lbs
64.864 kg
; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair
Occupation Farm hand
Religion Church of England
Address (NOK's) Yelbeni, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr Herbert Ball
Military Information
Reg Number 2532
Date of Enlistment 24 Jul 1916
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 44th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement posted to 3 Platoon A Company
Date of Embarkation 9 Nov 1916 ‒ 10 Jan 1917
Ship Embarked On HMAT A8 Argyllshire Fremantle to Devonport
Fate KIA 14 Oct 1917
Monument Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
Australian War Memorial
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal



Pre War

At the time of his enlistment Bill was working for Mr TC Barnes at Kellerberrin, Western Australia

War Service

Entering Blackboy Hill camp, Bill was allocated to the 79th Depot Company until 1 Aug 1916 when he was posted to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion. On 4 Sep 1916 this changed the 5th reinforcement draft.

On arrival in England Bill was sent to the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington to receive trench related training for France, and on 19 Apr 1917 he proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone. On 23 Apr 1917 he was taken on the strength of the 44th Battalion, along with 57 other reinforcements at Ploegsteert in Belgium.

On 14 Oct 1917 the 44th Battalion was in the front lines east of Ypres and was on the receiving end of very severe shelling which caused few casualties. However, Bill was listed as Wounded in action, later changed to Wounded & Missing in Action. Early advice in relation to his being wounded resulted in his mother and aunt writing to authorities numerous times as their letters to him were marked "Hospital". In the end his mother wrote a very terse letter to the Secretary of the Department for Defence.

Despite him being used as a runner, there appears to have been now attempt to locate him until his family began questioning his whereabouts. Following a Court of Inquiry on 14 Jun 1918 his status was altered to Killed in Action on 14 Oct 1917.

The best information as to his fate was provided by 2097 Pte H Gliddin and is contained in his Red cross file held by the AWM.

"I saw him coming back from the line after a run as he was a runner, and was wounded in the head, but not wounded very badly as he was walking out himself. He did not reach the dressing station so I think he must have been hit again. This was on the night of 13th or 14th October 1917. He was in the same section as I...."[1]
  • Tyne Cot Cemetery
  • CWGC


Notes

No obvious connection to Gosnells, but he is the only W Ball to enlist in WA. If he is the correct one, his name should be included on the Gosnells War Memorial.

External Links