Francis Henry Ball

Memorial: Pilning

Regiment: Royal Gloucestershire Hussars

Medals: 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Rank and number: Shoeing Smith 1800

Parents: Frederick Job and Martha Ball

Home address: Northwick Farm, Northwick, Pilning, Bristol

Pre-war occupation: Farm Labourer

Date of birth: 1892

Place of birth: Winford, Somerset

Date of death: 21/08/1915

Buried/Commemorated at: Green Hill Cemetry, Gallipoli

Age: 23

Further information:

Francis Henry Ball was the son of Job and Martha Ball, he was born in 1892 at Winford, Somerset. Job Ball was a farmer living with his wife Martha at Ridgehill, Winford, Long Ashton. They had four sons Charles (1890), Francis (1892), Alfred (1895) Frederick (1898) and a daughter Edith. By the 1911 Census, they had moved to Northwick Farm, Northwick. Charles was no longer living with the family, Francis and Alfred were both working on the farm, Frederick and young Edith were at school

In 1915 Francis travelled to Old Down, Tockington to enlist. He became a shoeing smith with the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry. His early months were spent on coastal patrol in Norfolk then, boarding at Avonmouth with the 2nd Mounted Division, he sailed to Alexandria, Egypt before being redirected to Gallipoli

On August 21st 1915 Francis Henry Ball fought on Chocolate Hill, Gallipoli where he is thought to have died, he was 23 years old.
It is recorded that although under fire from the Turks 'The entire Mounted Division had advanced steadily, as if on parade, only moving forward when ordered to do so'. There were 12 casualties in the advance. Francis Ball is believed to be occupying one of the unmarked graves at the Green Hill Cemetery

Taken from a despatch by General Sir Ian Hamilton, Commander in Chief Gallipoli: 'The advance of these English yeoman was a sight calculated to send a thrill of pride through anyone with a drop of English blood running in their veins. Such superb martial spectacles are rare in modern war."

Alfred Ball, younger brother of Francis is also commemorated on this memorial. There is a memorial to Francis Henry Ball and to Alfred Job Ball in the churchyard of St Thomas’ Church, Northwick. Carved into the stonework is a rifle entwined with laurel leaves and ammunition bandoliers, also the regimental badge of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry

By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):

Publication: Village Heroes. Pilning and Severn Beach History Group: Nancy Vowles and Val George. Forces War Records