Ldg.Tel. David Ballard
Royal Navy HMS Windsor
from:Aldershot, Hampshire
David Ballard served in the Royal Navy in both WW1 and WW2 and his story up to his discharge in 1939 has been related in the WW1 section. David was recalled to the Navy in 1939 and, on 3rd November, found himself aboard HMS Windsor, a destroyer. During Operation Dynamo, HMS Windsor sailed many times to France, Belgium and Holland, bringing back to England over 4,000 troops and the Dutch Government before receiving a direct hit from a bomb and subsequently being sent to Liverpool for a refit.
In May 1941, David was aboard the battleship King George V, sister-ship of the Prince of Wales, when both participated in the search for, and sinking of the Bismarck. He then spent six months at Signal School before receiving a posting to a Dutch submarine escort vessel, the Jan Van Gelder. In 1945, David was 46 years of age and finished his war aboard a submarine depot ship.
David completed his 31 years in the Royal Navy in September 1945, as a Leading Telegraphist with three Good Conduct Stripes, 1914-15 Star, War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, War Medal 1939-45 and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
