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2Lt. George William Ball
British Army 21st Btn. Middlesex Regiment
from:Islington
(d.25th March 1918)
George Ball was born on 9 December 1897 at 19 Lampeter Street, Islington, London. He was the son of George Frederick and Emma Ball. He had an older sister Alice and two younger sisters Florence (my husband's grandmother) and Mabel. George went to school in Highbury Station Road in Islington, London and then won a scholarship to Holloway County School in Islington until he was 16 years old. His first job was at the Ministry of Agriculture, Whitehall, London.
George (Private G/15199) joined the 21st Btn Middlesex Regiment (Islington's Own) at about 18 years old in Highbury Fields, Islington with his cousins, Henry George Seabrook (survived the Great War) and Percy George Seabrook (1st/7th Bn Middlesex Regiment died 3 May 1917 aged 20 and remembered at Arras Memorial), Thomas Ball (2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment died 21/10/2014 remembered at Ploegsteert memorial).
It was customary for young men to join with their friends in the local regiment. To begin he worked in an office and was then promoted to Lance Corporal, and later sent to St John's College, Cambridge for officer training. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 2nd Btn Middlesex Regiment and was posted to France.
His parents received a telegram stating that he was missing believed to be killed and then confirmed that he died on 25th of March 1918. A letter from his commanding officer stated that he led his men to the frontline and they were ambushed near Loos.
George's name is on the honours list at Union Chapel in Islington and also on the Ball family headstone at Islington Cemetery. All Georges' letters and medals were buried with his mother Emma when she passed on.
