Captain Albert Ball V.C.

Born 14 August 1896, Lenton, Nottingham.
Served in the 7th Robin Hood Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, commissioned in October, 1914.

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Victoria Cross citation
Printed in the London Gazette on 8 June 1917

“For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from the 25th April to 6th May 1917, during which period Captain 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 Captain Ball, flying alone, on one occasion fought six hostile machines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British machines 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 up again.

In all Captain Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptional courage, determination and skill.”

Captain Ball is buried in Annoeullin Cemetery, France, where the local school is named after him.