Introduction
"War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory."
George Clemenceau (1841 - 1929)
For the Ballard families of the Commonwealth forces there were no less than
166 major catastrophes - the loss of a son. The number of other catastrophes
like disfigurement & insanity ... they are not measured here. This
section is my tribute to the fallen by way of recording something of their biographies to
provide an abiding memory of where they were from, the loved ones they had to
leave and anything more I can provide to thank them with more than cold stone
and an epitaph. Anyone who went to that war in any role deserves our thanks. I cannot yet
provide recognition of all of those Ballards that returned but maybe one day ......
After several years of
research I have now managed to track down 143 of
the fallen and their details are included amongst the pedigrees in that section of
the website. I have for the moment stopped trying to identify the remainder including a
number of ANZAC and Canadian forces members. If you are able to identify any of
the individuals concerned I would appreciate some help!
If you have photographs, documents, medals, anecdotes, War Diary entries etc
for any of the
individuals then I would really like to be able to include them in this
commemoration of the fallen. Better yet why not write a history of your fallen
ancestor(s) and send it to me for inclusion on the website?
The loss of your child due to War must be very hard but spare a
thought for two Ballard couples who lost three and a further eight families that
lost two sons:-
Alfred Abraham & Martha Elizabeth Ballard of St Pancras, London; Abraham - 1915 Gallipoli, John Samuel - 1917 Ypres &
Sidney - 1918 Pas de Calais.
Charles & Grace Ballard of Sandown, Isle of Wight;
Frederick - 1916 Pas de Calais, Richard - 1917 Jerusalem & Oliver - 1918
Nord.
Charles & Emma Ballard of Speenhamland, Berkshire; George -
1915 Gallipoli & Albert - 1918 Vimy Ridge
Frank & Maria Ballard of Rushden, Northamptonshire; Albert
- 1915 Pas de Calais & Frank - 1918 Pas de Calais
Edward & Susannah Ballard of Bolton, Lancashire; Alfred -
May 1915 2nd Battle of Ypres & Thomas - Feb 1915
Harriet Ballard a single mother of Basingstoke, Hampshire;
George - 1916 Iraq and Arthur - 1918 Soissons.
Joseph & Mary Ann Ballard of Abingdon, Berkshire; John
Henry - 1915 Pas de Calais & less than a year later Frederick (who won the
Military Medal) - 1916 also at the Pas de Calais.
David & Harriet Ballard of Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire;
Harry - 1916 Somme & Leonard - 1917 Pas de Calais
Charles & Eliza Ballard of Sudbury, Suffolk within 6 months
both at Ypres, William - Feb 1915 & John - August 1915
William Buggins & Elizabeth Ann Ballard of Battersea, London on consecutive days 12th & 13th September 1918. William
Richard Ballard & Thomas W Ballard were in different units but died in
action just 4.5 km apart.
========
The most senior ranking deaths were Lt-Col Charles Naesmyth Bruere Ballard of 15 Brigade Royal Field
Artillery killed at Boulogne in 1915 and Commander Charles Frederick Ballard of
HMS Formidable sunk on 1 January 1915 while on Channel patrol off Portland Bill
by torpedoes of German U-boat U-24. The ship sank quickly during bad weather
resulting in the loss of 547 men from her complement of 780, and became the
first battleship serving with the British Royal Navy to be sunk during World War
I.
The most promoted was Charles Willard Ballard MC of the Royal Sussex Regiment
who rose through the ranks from a Private in 1914 to a Captain when he was
killed at Cambrai in 1917.
Not all of the fallen were casualties of war, little Albert Ballard a 5 feet
2 inch Cotton Spinner from Lancashire succumbed to pneumonia and died in
Canterbury, Kent. Several survived the combat and died in the Spanish Influenza
epidemic that tore through the army in late 1918.
==========================================================================================
Untraced ANZAC Forces
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ABE
BALLARD, Private, 409, 15th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F, who died on
Tuesday, 1st June 1915.
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Died
of wounds at sea.
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LONE
PINE MEMORIAL, Turkey
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45.
|
|
CHARLES
ROBERT BALLARD, Private, 3004, 46th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F, who
died on Monday, 14th August 1916. Age 19.
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Son
of William Henry and Mary Ballard, of 51, Wright St., Albert Park,
Victoria, Australia. Native of Bendigo, Victoria. Pte Ballard enlisted on
7 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Osterley on 29
September 1915. While serving with the 46th Battalion, he was wounded at
Pozieres, France, and died on 14 August 1916, aged 19 years and eight
months. Photograph
at
http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/DA10817
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WARLOY-BAILLON
COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France
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VII.
C. 13.
|
|
HAROLD
BALLARD, Private, 4730, 54th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F, who died on
Wednesday, 19th July 1916.
|
Harold
Archurt Smith Ballard – per AWM
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RUE-DU-BOIS
MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX, Pas de Calais, France
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I.
F. 35.
|
|
HEDLEY
BALLARD, Private, 3471, 25th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F, who died on
Wednesday, 15th November 1916.
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Son
of John and Ellen Ballard, of Glenrose Rd., Red Hill, Brisbane, Queensland.
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DARTMOOR
CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT, Somme, France
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II.
F. 7.
|
|
LEWIS
WILLIAM BALLARD, Driver, 9656, 8th Field Ambulance, Australian Army
Medical Corps, who died on Tuesday, 25th September 1917.
|
Army
Medical Corps. From Victoria, aged about 25, 5 feet 8 inches, fair, clean
shaven, wore glasses, “rather stout build”. “I believe at one time
Ballard took part in Sir Enrest Shackleton’s Polar Expedition whilst in
New Zealand but he did not accompany it”.
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YPRES
(MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
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Panel
31
|
|
MILTON
HOLLROYD BALLARD, Corporal, 4556, 45th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F,
who died on Thursday, 7th June 1917. Age 20.
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Son
of Mary Jane Laird (formerly Ballard), of Yalgogrin North, New South
Wales, and the late Edward George James Ballard. Native of Wagga Wagga,
New South Wales. Shot in the head by a sniper at Messines.
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YPRES
(MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
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Panel
7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31
|
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NORMAN
LOCKYER BALLARD, Lance Corporal, 2336, 9th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F,
who died on Monday, 23rd July 1917. Age 22.
|
Son
of the late George Thomas Ballard and of Annie Elizabeth Higgins (formerly
Ballard), of Fordsdale, Queensland. Born at Gatton, Queensland.
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VILLERS-BRETONNEUX
MEMORIAL, Somme, France
|
|
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WALTER
JAMES BALLARD, Private, 28648, 2nd Bn., Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F., who
died on Saturday, 30th March 1918. Age 40.
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Son
of the late James and Emily Ballard. Born at Nelson.
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GREVILLERS
(NEW ZEALAND) MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France
|
|
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ARTHUR
HENRY BALLARD, Private, 12825, 5th Bn., Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan
Regt.), who died on Saturday, 28th April 1917.
|
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VIMY
MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France
|
|
|
C
A BALLARD, Private, 106073, 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles (Saskatchewan
Regt.), who died on Monday, 5th June 1916.
|
Charles
Albert Ballard born 4th December 1894 – per Veterans Affairs
Canada.
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TYNE
COT CEMETERY, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
|
LIX.
E. 6.
|
|
W
BALLARD, Private, 444726, 4th Bn., Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario
Regt.), who died on Tuesday, 1st October 1918.
|
Walter
Ballard born 27th March 1889 - per
Veterans Affairs Canada.
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SANCOURT
BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France
|
I.
D. 3.
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Untraced UK Forces
|
A
BALLARD, Private, 6221, 1st Bn., Royal Berkshire Regiment, who died on
Saturday, 20th March 1920.
|
Albert
Ballard per TNA Medal Roll Entered war 13/8/1914 so active or in reserve?
Medal card says “Disch” and he was awarded the Silver War Badge so
probably invalided out. Death Index for Mar Qtr 1920 has Albert Ballard
aged 36 Chorlton Volume 8c page 1045 so he was born c1884.
|
MANCHESTER
SOUTHERN CEMETERY, Lancashire, United Kingdom
|
Q.
391 (Screen Wall).
|
|
ALBERT
EDWARD BALLARD, Private, TF/2434, 1st/8th Bn., Middlesex Regiment, who
died on Friday, 15th September 1916.
|
Per
Pension Roll entry in 1919 – mother Louisa Franklin aged 52; full
brother Edgar Ballard aged 28; half siblings Kitty M Franklin aged 17,
Thomas Franklin aged 15, Frederick Franklin aged 13. Mother lived in
Brentford, Albert E aged 20 when enlisted in 1914. Born in Hertfordshire
(?) in 1894. Found on 1901 Census with Louisa Handcocks and again on 1911
Census with John & Louisa Franklin. Born Hereford.
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THIEPVAL
MEMORIAL, Somme, France
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Pier
and Face 12 D and 13 B
|
|
DENNIS
ARTHUR BALLARD, Captain, 1st Bn., King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt.), who
died on, Wednesday, 12th December 1917. Age 20.
|
Only
son of Mrs. E. H. Ballard, of 6, Cromwell Crescent, London, and the late
Mr. W. H. Ballard, of Kangra Valley, India.
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WINDMILL
BRITISH CEMETERY, MONCHY-LE-PREUX, Pas de Calais, France
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I.
H. 2.
|
|
E
G BALLARD, Rifleman, 575070, 2nd/17th Bn., London Regiment, who died on
Sunday, 24th November 1918. Age 27.
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Ward
of Louisa Bennett, of 19B, Peabody Buildings, Orchard St., Westminster,
London. 2nd/17th Bn was the Poplar & Stepney
Rifles Terretorial Force. Ernest G per Medal Roll and also states Royal
Army Medical Corps service number 2299. There was an Ernest George
Ballard, Sep Qtr 1891, Fulham, Volume 1a Page 273. According to
“Soldiers Who Died…” he was Ernest George Ballard who lived in
Chelsea and enlisted at Westminster in the RAMC as Private No 1636 and
then transferred the 17th
(County of London) Battalion (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) as Private
575070. The Medal Index
Card shows that the medals were returned under KR 1743 as being
“undeliverable”.
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TERLINCTHUN
BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, Pas de Calais, France
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XI.
D. 33.
|
|
FREDERICK
CHARLES BALLARD, Rifleman, 42183, 10th Bn. attd. 21st Bn., Royal Irish
Rifles, formerly S/20604), Rifle Brigade who died on Thursday, 21st March
1918.
|
Frederick
Charles Ballard, resident of Finsbury, Middlesex.
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POZIERES
MEMORIAL, Somme, France
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Panel
81 to 84
|
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GEORGE
BALLARD, Private, 15459, 3rd Bn., Worcestershire Regiment, who died on
Wednesday, 23rd June 1915.
|
George
Ballard, born in Birmingham and resident in Worcester but enlisted in
Birmingham. Killed in action at Ypres.
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YPRES
(MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
|
Panel
34
|
|
HENRY
HERBERT BALLARD, Corporal, 265501, 1st/7th Bn., Royal Warwickshire
Regiment, who died on Monday, 27th August 1917.
|
Henry
Herbert Ballard; Jun Qtr 1895; Warwick; Volume 6d Page 639 Born St
Paul’s, Warwick. Living with Grandparents in 1901 in Leamington,
Warwickshire (Benjamin & Jeanette Jasper). Resident of Coventry &
enlisted at Warwick. Killed in action.
|
TYNE
COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
|
Panel
23 to 28 and 163A
|
|
JOHN
BALLARD, Private, 70201, 2nd Bn., Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby
Regt.), who died on Sunday, 15th October 1916.
|
Of
Long Eaton according to Long Eaton & District Heritage Society. Born
Long Eaton, Derbyshire and lived in Derby but enlisted in Long Eaton.
Killed in action on the Somme.
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THIEPVAL
MEMORIAL, Somme, France
|
Pier
and Face 10 C 10 D 11and 11 A
|
|
JOHN
EDWARD BALLARD, Aircraftman 2nd Class, 261193, 18th Balloon Base, Royal
Air Force, who died on Tuesday, 28th January 1919.
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Mar
Qtr 1919 John E Ballard Aged 45 Leicester Volume 7a page 465
Born
1865.
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LEICESTER
(WELFORD ROAD) CEMETERY, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
|
GraveReference/Panel
Number: K. U. 613.
|
|
O
H BALLARD, Private, 39600, 8th Bn., Gloucestershire Regiment, who died on
Saturday, 18th November 1916.
|
Oscar
Herald Ballard born Mysore, India, son of Mrs. E. Ballard, of 19, Anerley
Rd., Crystal Palace, London. Enlisted at Chelmsford as no 9696 with the
Royal Fusiliers and transferred to the Gloucestershire Regiment 8th
Service Battalion as Private, 39600. Killed in action on the Somme.
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GRANDCOURT
ROAD CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT, Somme, France
|
C.
57.
|
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RICHARD
BALLARD, Sapper, WR/20023, 301st Railway Construction Coy., Royal
Engineers, who died on Friday, 1st November 1918.
|
Richard
Ballard, born Wandsworth, Surrey and resident of Winchester, Hampshire.
Enlisted at Chiswick, Middlesex. Died.
Richard
Christopher Ballard; Mar Qtr 1889; Wandsworth; Volume 1d page 751
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TERLINCTHUN
BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, Pas de Calais, France
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VI.
F. 18.
|
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ROBERT
BALLARD, Private, 10632, 1st Bn., The King's (Liverpool Regiment), who
died on Wednesday, 10th March 1915.
|
Robert
Ballard, born Armagh, Ireland and resident in Liverpool. Enlisted in
Belfast, Ireland. Killed in action.
|
LE
TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France
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Panels
6 to 8
|
|
T
J BALLARD, Private, 22033, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, attd. 1st
Garrison Bn., Worcestershire Regiment who died on Friday, 19th October
1917. Age 50.
|
Thomas
Ballard, husband of Mrs. Ballard, of 71, Stebondale St., Cubitt Town,
Poplar, London. Born Kentish Town, Middlesex. Formerly a Private, 3/818
with the Wiltshire Regiment.
GRO
Death Index Dec Qtr 1917 Thomas Ballard aged 51 Isle of Wight Volume 2b
page 739.
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EAST
LONDON CEMETERY, PLAISTOW, Essex, United Kingdom
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9757.
|
|
W
BALLARD, Rifleman, A/823, Depot,, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who died on
Sunday, 23rd May 1915.
|
From
the Short Service Attestation papers we know that William Ballard, was
born Ladywood, Warwickshire. Previously with the Royal Welch Fusiliers
time expired. He was aged 34 years 4 months on re-enlistment 17/8/1914
(born April 1880). He went to France 28/1/1914 and home 13/1/1915 having
received a severe GSW to leg (knee). He returned to France 25/4/1915 and
was again returned to the UK on 13 May 1915 this time with a shrapnel
wound to the knee.On 15/5/1915 he died of wounds in Glasgow General
Hospital. His next of kin was stated to be his father, Henry Ballard of 27
Hospital Street, Birmingham but this is later superceded (2-7-1920) by
stepmother Mrs Catherine Ballard 6 House 12 Court Cecil Street, Birmingham
she having also been described simply as his mother. There was also a
prior instruction for the property & effects etc to go to Horace
Ballard, C Ward, Yardley Road Sanatorium, Birmingham. Height 5’ 8”
weight 141 lbs chest 37” hair dark brown eyes hazel fresh complexion.
Probably the one who in 1891 census is in the Corporation of Birmingham
Industrial School at Fillongly aged 11, inmate born Birmingham.
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GLASGOW
WESTERN NECROPOLIS, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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H.
1467A.
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