Company Serjeant Major 241268 Thomas Henry Ball

Family details:
Mother Ann is sole legatee.

Census details:
1891 - 9 months old Thomas H is living at Bank Lane, Melling, Lancs with parents James (36), Ann (38) and six siblings: James (15), Elizabeth A (13), John William (11), Jane (8), Annie (6), Ellen (4). 1901 - 10 years old Thomas H is living at 9 Alice Street, Sutton, St Helens with parents James (46), Anne (47) and five siblings: James (25), John William (21), Annie (16), Ellen (14), Emily (7). 1911 - Sees 20 years old 'Labourer' Thomas Henry living at 54 Thompson Street, Toll Bar, St Helens with his parents James (56), Anne (58) and seven siblings:James (35), Elizabeth (33), John William (31), Jane (28), Annie (26), Nellie (24), Emily (17).

Notes:
[url=lmem.php?lmem=20]Remembered on St John the Evangelist, Ravenhead War Memorial[/url]

The 2nd/5th battalion of the South Lancashire regiment was officially constituted at Liverpool on September 23rd, 1914, principally as a 'second line' unit for the 1st/5th battalion. It proceeded to Blackpool on 11th November to commence its training, although it was severely handicapped in the early days by a lack of uniforms and equipment. Early in 1915, the battalion was moved to Tunbridge Well sin Kent, forming part of the Central Force for Home Defence, although training was still hampered by the lack of equipment. The battalion consisted of 37 officers and 1,203 other ranks, although a significant proportion of these were for Home Service only. In addition, a high turnover of personnel came about due to the large number of discharges on medical grounds. In May of 1915, the first draft to replace casualties at the front was called for and 10 officers left immediately for France. A steady drain of men continued until November, when the 3rd/5th battalion was formed to act as a Dept for men who had been evacuated due to wounds or sickness, also supplying drafts to the first line battalion. The second line battalion was now able to form itself into a shape fir for the purpose of fighting. As 1916 progressed, the battalion remained on Home Service, mainly constructing field fortifications for the protection of London, south of the Thames. In June, however, the battalion was moved to Ashdown in Kent to complete training in preparation for moving overseas. Orders were not received until Christmas 1916, however. Eventually, the battalion entrained at Farnborough on 16th February 1917 for Folkstone. Their departure for France was delayed by fog until the 20th, when they sailed on the s.s. 'Princess Henriette' with a full complement of officers and men. Their early days in France were mobile, moving from Boulogne to Bailleul, then Oultersteene and finally to Armentieres. Here on 4th March, they moved into the front line trenches for the first time, relieving the men of the 2nd/4th battalion. AT this time, Armentieres was a 'quiet' sector and so the battalion passed the month of March suffering few casualties. The battalion moved constantly around the front line areas throughout the remaining months of the year, ultimately moving into front line trenches in the Houthulst Forest sector on Christmas Day under constant German harassing fire. It seems likely that CSM Ball was killed in this shelling. [center][pic2 width=350]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/Echo19180223_zps8ddbe94f.png[/pic2][/center][caption]Liverpool Echo 23/02/1918.[/caption] [center][pic2 border=1]imgs/sppics/CSM_TH_Ball.jpg[/pic2][/center][caption]The Ormskirk Advertiser Clip courtesy of R.Houghton.[/caption] [pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/THBall_SLR_zps507b6c6f.jpg[/pic][caption]The headstone of C.S.M Thomas Henry Ball at Bleuet Farm Cemetery (Photo courtesy of Frederik Sohier)[/caption]