BALL, Richard Anthony
1st/7th Bn., Devonshire Regiment attd. 2nd/8th Bn, Worcestershire Regiment
Born
September 1896.
Elder son of William Ball (Ship Owner) and Edith Constance Harrington Ball, of Fairfield St., Vincent’s Rd., Torquay, Devon.
Family
His younger brother Mark Christopher Ball (qv) also a Blundellian died in the conflict.
Education
Blundell's School, “Petergate” April 1907 – Summer 1912, where, on account of his health he was not allowed to take part in games. Nevertheless the Blundellian remarked that he had “much influence of a wholly good kind and was much missed by many when he left in July 1912.” He matriculated at London University from the School.
Career
After leaving Blundell’s, he was at the National Provincial Bank in Torquay.
Service
At the outbreak of war in 1914 he joined as a private in the 7th Devons, which joined with the Worcesters in France. He obtained a commission in October 1914.
Trench Diaries
The 2/8th Battalions were part of the 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division.
Death
10th July 1916, aged 20.
Killed in Action on the Somme.
Burial/Commemoration
Grave II. B. 21.
Laventie Military Cemetery
Lavantie Military Cemetery was begun with Plot II I the latter half of June 1916 by the 61st (South Midland) Division and carried on by other divisions holding the front until April 1918.
Research
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - www.cwgc.org
The National Archives, Kew WO 339/
The Register of Blundell's School, Part II 1882 – 1932” (1932) MAHOOD, A.S., Ed. Entry No. 5172
Cemeteries & Memorials in Belgium & Northern France (2004) Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 13/265
“British battalions on the Somme” WESTLAKE, R (2004) Pen and Sword