Lives of the First World War

Private HORACE WILLIAM BALLS, 200806, “A” Coy. 1st/4th Bn. The Norfolk Regiment He was the son of William and Laura Balls of Coston (“Coston, Hardingham, Norfolk” as Forces War Records has it). He was born on 19 August 1893. He is recorded as attending Runhall with Coston School from 25 April 1898, leaving on 15 March 1907, marked “Left village. Attendance Certificate”. He served with the 1st/4th Battalion the Norfolk Regiment (service No 200806). There is also a service number recorded 3692 in the 1/16th Norfolk Regiment, but the Medal Rolls Index Card, while giving both service numbers, refers to the 1st/4th. He was killed in Palestine on 19 April 1917. He is buried at Gaza War Cemetery. The inscription on his tombstone reads: EVER IN OUR THOUGHTS There is a record of a marriage of a Horace Balls to Mary Louisa White in Cambridge in 1912. However, there is a surprising number of men (and of soldiers) bearing that name; and Horace’s effects, amounting to £7 10s 6d, were paid over to his father.

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