BALL, Howard
| Service Number: | 1137 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Divisional Signal Company |
| Born: | Prospect, South Australia, 28 February 1890 |
| Home Town: | Medindie, Walkerville, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Fireman, S.A.R. |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, 18 February 1966, aged 75 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Cremation Date: 21/02/1966 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards, Peterborough 'LOCO' S.A.R. Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 31 May 1915: | Involvement Driver, 1137, 2nd Divisional Signal Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 May 1915: | Embarked Driver, 1137, 2nd Divisional Signal Company, HMAT Geelong, Adelaide |
Help us honour Howard Ball's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Biography contributed by Rosa LIM
Howard Ball was born in the city of Prospect, South Australia, on the 28th of February in 1980. He spent most of his young years before marriage in his family home located in Nottage Terrace, Medindie, South Australia. He was a 5’ 8’’ man. Before enlisting in the military, he had worked as a fireman at a local fire station, providing him with skills like physical fitness, teamwork, engineering, etc. Howard had no previous military service on his record. His mother was Ada Ball, while his father’s name was George Ball.
Howard's military journey began on the 5th of December in 1914, at 24 years and 10 months old, when he enlisted in the military in Oaklands, receiving the service number 1137.
On the 31st of May in 1915, Howard embarked on the HMAT Geelong A2 fromn Adelaide. Like many soldiers in World War I, Howard was moved through different units. Howard was enlisted in the 2nf Divisional Signals Company. With military training from the unit, he was soon ranked as a Driver. Howard was soon reassigned to the 4th Divisional Signals Company.
The Division Signals Companies were units of the Royal Australian Engineers during WWI. These units were tasked with providing communications across Headquarters to subordinate formations. Howard’s main unit, the 4th Divisional Signal Company, contributed to the battles, Formation in Egypt, 1916, Somme, 1916, and Hindenburg Line, 1917. German Spring Offensive, 1918, and Hundred Days Offensive, 1918.
Howard only had one punishment for misbehaviour. From 6:30 a.m. on the 20th of February, 1916, until 6:30 a.m. on the 22nd of February, 1916, he was noted to be absent without leave. This act of misbehaviour caused him to receive a 7-day-long field punishment No.2. This involved him being in handcuffs and fetters, but he was still allowed to march with his unit. During his time in the war, Howard alternated between the roles of a Sapper and a Driver.
After World War I, on the 9th of March 1919, Howard returned to Australia. He was discharged shortly thereafter on the 25th of June 1919, due to the cessation of hostilities. Soon after Howard was discharged, he married Ida Ellen in the year of 1919. Howard was admitted to hospital for an injury in 1920.
Howard Ball passed away on the 18th of February, 1966. He was then laid to rest in the Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, Mitcham City, South Australia, Australia.