Able Seaman P/JX 239491 Henry Ball

Family details:
Son of Henry and Alice Ann Ball, of St. Helens, Lancashire; grandson of John and Annie Heyes, of St. Helens.

Census details:
1939 Register - Not identified.

HMS Pozerica - Anti Aircraft Ship. Commissioned into the RN in 1941, HMS Pozerica was an Anti-Aircraft ship intended to provide air cover to other surface vessels and to convoys. On the afternoon of 29 January 1943, HMS Pozarica (Capt. (retired) [i]Laurence Bernard[/i] Hill, DSO, OBE, RN) was escorting coastal convoy TF.14, running between Algerian ports. Off Bougie, the convoy was attacked by 2 squadrons of torpedo planes, one made up by 13 German a/c (10 He.111 and 3 Ju.88 from I and III/KG.26), the other consisting of 8 Italian S.79 from the 105th, 130th and 132nd Groups. 2 of the escorts, destroyer [b]Avon Vale[/b] ( see Stoker Mechanic John Worley) and Flakship [b]Pozarica[/b] were hit by, respectively, the German and by the Italian planes. [b]Avon Vale[/b], hit @ 2110 hrs in 37.01 N, 04.44 E, was forced to run herself aground with the bows totally wrecked, while [b]Pozarica[/b] hit at the stern @ 1945 hrs in 37.04 N, 04.36 E, managed to reach Bougie roads. On 13 February, while under salvage, [b]Pozarica[/b] suddenly capsized and settled on the bottom. The wreck was refloated postwar and towed to Italy for scrapping, beginning in May 1951. 15 Men from the Pozarica died in the initial attack on the 29th of January, followed by a further 4 Men on the 30th - who died of their respective wounds. Henry Ball was the last man to die from his wounds on January the 31st.