Military Picture Analysis
What did the Balls do during the war?
QTaken during the First World War, this Ball family photograph shows my great uncles Henry, Herbert and Frederick with their sister (my grandmother) and parents outside the Cooper’s Arms in Bristol, which their father ran. Before the war, Henry and Frederick worked in pubs and Herbert was a professional footballer. What did they do during the war?
Susan Dunn
AThis is a nice early First World War family group showing a Royal Artillery driver and two infantrymen, who were possibly in the Devonshire Regiment.
Frederick (right) is Royal Artillery and a driver. Herbert (centre) appears to be a soldier in the Devonshire Regiment and, given the similarity in dress, I suspect that Henry is too. You’d expect a Bristolian to join the Gloucestershire Regiment, but this wasn’t compulsory. Or the brothers may have been in Devon in 1914/1915, and volunteered there.
There are only three Medal Index Cards for Henry Balls in the Devonshires and two for Herberts, so if I’m right these may be relatively easy to trace. For Frederick, try searching
Territorial Artillery units based in Bristol. David Woods’ history of Bristol City The
Bristol Babe (Yore, 1994) confirms that Herbert played for the club. In 1916, possibly on leave, he played two friendlies. On 7 October, against Barry District (away), he played centre forward, but City lost 3–0. On 14 October, he scored twice against Swindon Town (at home) and City won 5–0.
Football might help you identify Herbert’s army unit. Inter-unit football matches were commonly recorded in War Diaries. The teams aren’t usually named – but scorers may be. Phil Tomaselli
1 TUNICS
The seven-button tunics worn by Henry and Herbert are unusual. The five-button tunic seen in most First World War photos was introduced in 1902, but some old seven-button tunics were probably in storage and used to outfit recruits – especially in Territorial Force (formerly volunteer) battalions. The same applies to the snake-buckle belts.
2 BADGE
The only badge on display is on Herbert’s collar and is star-shaped. The only collar badge that fits is the Devonshire Regiment. At greater magnification, similar badges may be visible on Henry’s collar.
3 BANDOLIER
Frederick’s bandolier indicates he’s a horseman. Cavalrymen also wore them, but he is clearly Royal Artillery, so probably a driver.
4 LANYARD
The white lanyard around the left shoulder held a knife in the left breast pocket for artillerymen – a useful tool. The lanyard could pull the trigger of a gun at a distance.
5 SPURS
He’s wearing spurs, so is certainly a mounted driver.