-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking

We will remember them
Chainbar divider

In Remembrance of
William Ball

Photo of
Date of birth: 1st May 1905
Place of birth: Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Parents: George Bernard and Sarah Ann Ball
Previous occupation: Coal Porter
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Leading Stoker
Service Number: P/KX 75116
Joined Hood: 2nd September 1940 (Leading Stoker)
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Leading Stoker)
Click here to print memorial poster




Biographical Information: William was born in Liverpool on 1st May 1905. He was one of seven children born to parents George Bernard and Sarah Ann Ball. HIs siblings were George, Robert, John, Margaret Elizabeth and Emma. He was 36 years old at the time of his loss.



History of ships served in and ratings held:


Date FromDate toShipRatingSource
28th October 192526th February 1926Victory IIStoker 2nd ClassADM362/58
27th February 192626th July 1926TigerStoker 2nd ClassADM362/58
27th July 192611th February 1927TigerStoker 1st ClassADM362/58
12th February 192731st March 1927Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM362/58
1st April 192723rd February 1930AssistanceStoker 1st ClassADM362/58
24th February 19304th May 1931Victory II - VIStoker 1st ClassADM363/564
5th May 193130th June 1931Pembroke II - VIStoker 1st ClassADM363/564
1st July 19315th March 1934DurbanStoker 1st ClassADM363/564
6th March 19347th March 1934Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM363/564
8th March 19342nd November 1934Effingham (Constance)Stoker 1st ClassADM363/564
3rd November 193419th February 1935Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM363/564
20th February 193519th August 1935Iron DukeStoker 1st ClassADM363/564
20th August 19353rd January 1936Iron DukeActing Leading StokerADM363/564
4th January 19362nd March 1936Victory IIActing Leading StokerADM363/564
3rd March 193631st March 1936Victory (Fury)Acting Leading StokerADM363/564
1st April 193612th July 1936St. Angelo (Fury)Acting Leading StokerADM363/564
13th July 193619th August 1936Victory (Fury)Acting Leading StokerADM363/564
20th August 193627th August 1937Victory (Fury)Leading StokerADM363/564
28th August 193726th October 1937Victory IILeading StokerADM363/564
27th October 193727th October 1937Shore CS ExpiredLeading StokerADM363/564
28th October 193727th September 1938Joined R.F.R.Leading StokerADM363/564
28th September 19381st October 1938Victory II - II (Mobilised)Leading StokerADM363/564
2nd October 193822nd August 1939DemobilisedLeading StokerADM363/564
23rd August 193931st October 1939Victory II (Whitley)Leading StokerADM363/564
1st November 193919th May 1940Cochrane (Whitley)Leading StokerADM363/564
20th May 19408th July 1940Victory IILeading StokerADM363/564
9th July 194019th August 1940Victory II ([Illegible])Leading StokerADM363/564
20th August 19401st September 1940Victory IILeading StokerADM363/564
2nd September 194024th May 1941HoodLeading StokerADM363/564


Additional Photos



Leading Stoker William Ball showing a friend around the ship.




Leading Stoker William Ball, ashore with some mates.




Leading Stoker William Ball with a mate.





Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial










Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial



The part of the memorial in which the Hood casualty names can be found.
(Panels 45 to 61)





William's name is in Column 2 of Panel 54.





Detail of William's name.





Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)
Robbie Roberts (Information & photos, December 2008 & March 2009)