Harry's Story.
Harry Ball was born in Warburton, Cheshire in 1898, the youngest of three children born to James (a farmer) and Annie Elisabeth Ball of Carr Green, Warburton.
His army records no longer exist but we know he enlisted in Brecon in the 10th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers sometime in 1916, becoming Private no. 29380.
He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal early in 1918.
Harry was killed in action on the 9th May 1918.
On that fateful day:
The Regimental War Diary states:
8th May 1918
Disposition now as follows:-
Batt HQ at .7.c.5.1 (no change).
B Coy left front C right front
Coy D in support (in B Coy old position) and A Coy in the Sunken Road, in reserve.
Both sides opened out with heavy artillery fire at intervals throughout the night and early morning, firing mostly at back areas. There was little activity during the day. However, an attack by the Hun was anticipated and everybody had received orders for immediate action. Our reconnoitring planes were busy all day. A minor operation was carried out against the enemy post at W.15.a.85.35 commencing at 10.15 p.m.
A and C Coys were selected for the work.
A Coy captured the post.
The section of D Coy who had gone out to hold the posts were counter-attacked by a greatly superior force but after fighting valiantly was forced to withdraw.
Work:- improving and draining trenches, wiring around posts, carrying R.E. equipment, rations and water.
A bath which had been fitted up at Batt. HQ (two cellars being used for accommodation) was first used today. Casualties 2OR KIA, 4 OR WIA, 2OR WIA rem on duty.
9th May 1918
Disposition similar.
 Heavy artillery was again active on back areas, both the enemys and our own. The enemy fired bursts of 20 rounds of 4.2 high velocity at 1½ intervals on valley in W.13.d. Our 18 pounders fired bursts at half hour intervals on enemy front line at W.15.b. Our planes were active all day but only one enemy plane (which was flying very high) was seen. Machineguns and trench mortars were quiet. A reconnoitring patrol was out in no mans land between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. but nothing unusual occurred.
Work:- the usual night work was continued, improving the trench by deepening, firestepping and draining. Wiring around posts and in front of support lines.
Casualties 1 OR KIA, 3 OR missing, 19 OR MIA.
Researched and comipled by Tony Davies