Captain Albert Ball born 14th August 1896, Nottingham, England. Died 7th May 1917, Annoeullin, France. Although eighteen other First World War pilots were awarded VC's, none had captured the public imagination as much as Albert Ball. At a time when morale was low, when the war and its casualties seemed never ending, Albert became a symbol of hope. His individuality and his insistance on fighting alone set him apart from other fighter pilots. His invincible courage and his utter determination made him a legend not only in Britain but also amongst his enemies, to whom the sight of his lone Nieuport Scout brought fear. He was killed, in circumstances still not completely resolved, on May 7th 1917 aged just 20. Having risen from obscurity to the top rank of contemporary fighter pilots in only 15 months. In that period he had been awarded the MC, DSO AND two Bars and was credited with at least 44 victories. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/images/conway/dd97b4bf.html Monument to Captain Albert Ball
Only 20 years old ... amazing ! Name: BALL, ALBERT Initials: A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 58th Sqdn. Secondary Regiment: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Secondary Unit Text: formerly 7th (Robin Hood) Bn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 07/05/1917 Awards: V C, D S O and 2 Bars, M C Additional information: Legion d'Honneur (France); Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia). Son of Sir Albert Ball, J.P., of Stansted House, Wollaton Park, Nottingham. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 643. Cemetery: ANNOEULLIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND GERMAN EXTENSION Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette" dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from the 25th of April to the 6th of May, 1917, during which period Capt. Ball took part in twenty-six combats in the air and destroyed eleven hostile aeroplanes, drove down two out of control, and forced several others to land. In these combats Capt. Ball, flying alone, on one occasion fought six hostile machines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British aeroplanes he attacked an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions he brought down at least one enemy. Several times his aeroplane was badly damaged, once so seriously that but for the most delicate handling his machine would have collapsed, as nearly all the control wires had been shot away. On returning with a damaged machine he had always to be restrained from immediately going out on another. In all, Capt. Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptional courage, determination and skill."
A cross marks his grave at Annoeullin near the spot where he died Mr and Mrs Ball ( Albert Balls parents ) accept their sons VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace in July 1917
There are two good books on the RFC/RNAS/RAF/AFC men who were awarded the VC. In order of preference I'd rate them as follows: Victoria Cross: WWI Airmen and their Aircraft by Alex Revell, ISBN 1 891268 00 7; and The Air VCs by Peter Cooksley, ISBN 0 7509 1212 X. Gareth
