John Henry Ball

Memorial: Pilning

Regiment: Royal Artillery

Medals: 1939–45 Star, War Medal 1939–1945

Rank and number: Lance bombardier

Parents: Ernest George and Ethel Anne Ball

Home address: Northwick Gloucestershire

Pre-war occupation: Can handler at petrol installation

Date of birth: 25/01/1923

Date of death: 05/09/1943

Buried/Commemorated at: Buried at Salerno War Cemetery Italy and commemorated on Pilning War Memorial

Age: 20

Further information:

Royal Artillery and 1st Special Air Service Regiment, Anti-Aircraft Corps.

John was the son of a heavy manual worker and the 2nd eldest of 10 children.

John’s regiment took part in the allied invasion of Italy which began with amphibious landings near Salerno on the 3rd September. John died from wounds just 2 days later and was initially buried at the beachhead.

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

This information has been provided by Sarah Hands, Volunteer Researcher for the South Gloucestershire War Memorials Web Site.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
https://www.cwgc.org/
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/