William Ball Overview

William Ball Overview

known 1st January 1880

Private/Guardsman, 7224, Scots Guards. Born St Annes, residence St Annes, enlisted Preston. Killed in action on 12/11/14, aged 26. No known grave, but named in the Memorial Chapel at St Annes Parish Church, on the memorial in Ashton Gardens and on the Menin Gate, Panel 11U. William (bn 1888Q4) and his younger brother Thomas (bn 1890Q3) were sons of Thomas and Alice Ball (nee Heaton). In 1891 the family are listed as living on Lytham Rd, Heyhouses, St Annes-on-Sea, with William an agricultural labourer. By 1901 father Thomas is a widow and the family are boarders on St Albans Rd, St Annes, in a house with 9 adults and 5 children. Alice had died giving birth to baby Annie (who died 27 days later) and was buried at St Annes Parish Church on 26 February 1897 aged 35. She was a Roman Catholic. The article in the St Annes Express on 18th December 1914 states that William lived at 71 Clifton St (now Curzon Rd), St Annes and was the son of Thomas Ball, working at Kilnhouse Farm. William had been employed at the racecourse at Squires Gate. He had been a reservist in the 1st Brigade of the Scot’s Guards and was called up as soon as war was declared as was his brother Private Tom Ball who also served in the Scots Guards and was injured at the Dardanelles. William was the second person from St Annes to be killed in the war and by coicidence lived only three doors away from the first, Isaac Street on Clifton St. According to De Ruvigny William was born in St Annes on 31/10/1888, educated at St Annes Parish School and married at Preston to Anne Cole of 13 Rose Cottage, Rochdale (in 1911Q3). They had two children, Mary Adelaide (bn 8/9/1908) and William Edward (bn 28/2/1912). He had enlisted on 7th May 1914 and went to France on 2nd September 1914. Sources of Information CWG, Soldiers who Died, De Ruvigny Roll(photo), 1891 & 1901 Census, GRO Birth & Marriage Indexes, St Annes Express (18/12/14, photo), Burial Register.

Created by: , Fiona12861

  • Profile picture for William Ball

    Born 1888

    Died 1914

    British Army 7224 Private Scots Guards