| Surname: | Ball |
| Initials: | W |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 860305 |
| Notes: | CMP. Formerly Royal Artillery. From Okehampton. War Diary WO170/7032, B Dog Pro Coy, Jan-Dec 45. 23/4/45 Honours & Awards. B Dog Pro Coy Part I Order, No. 24. His Majesty the King has approved the award of the BEM to No.860305 Cpl William Ball. "Hearty congratulations to Cpl Ball". 51 Military Police Dog Section, Part One Orders, serial no.12 dated 14 Aug 44. Commendation. The following is quoted from District Routine Orders issued by Major General G Lammie, CBE, MC, Commanding No. 3 District. "The GOC desires to place on record the act of distinguished conduct described below performed by 86035 L/Cpl Ball W. CMP. On 15 Jul 44 l/cpl BALL was on duty at an AOD RSD accompanied by WAR DOG 2117/4977 "BLACKIE". At approximately 04.20 hours, he entered a warehouse and surprised eight Italian civilians in the act of filling sacks with WD clothing. He called on them to surrender, but on seeing that he was alone they attacked him with iron tent pegs. L/Cpl BALL released his dog, which knocked one man to the ground and held him by the back of his neck. L/Cpl BALL struck one man on the head with the butt of his pistol, and kicked another in the stomach: both these men were temporarily stunned. The others then tried to escape, but L/Cpl BALL managed to hold two of them, the other three were arrested in the yard outside by another policeman. As a result of the sense of duty and disregard for his own personal safety shown by this NCO, eight civilians were arrested and the theft of a large quantity of WD stores was prevented. My congratulations to L/Cpl BALL on the courage and devotion to duty he showed on this occasion. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | British Empire Medal (London Gazette: 37039 Page: 2072 April 19, 1945) |
| Citation: | Italy. Citation for BEM: On 15 Jul 44 L/Cpl Ball was on duty at 2 RSD 557 AOD accompanied by WAR DOG 2117/4977 "BLACKIE". At approximately 04.20 hours, he entered a warehouse and surprised eight Italian civilians in the act of filling sacks with WD clothing. He called on them to surrender, but on seeing that he was alone they attacked him with iron tent pegs. L/Cpl BALL released his dog, which knocked one man to the ground and held him by the back of his neck. L/Cpl BALL struck one man on the head with the butt of his pistol, and kicked another in the stomach; both these men were temporarily stunned. The others then tried to escape, but L/Cpl BALL managed to hold two of them, and the other three were arrested in the yard outside by another policeman. As a result of the sense of duty and disregard for his own personal safety shown by this NCO, eight civilians were arrested and the theft of a large quantity of WD stores prevented. Maj J S Potts 'B' Dog Pro Coy. BUS Cripps Brigadier, Comd 56 Area. Maj Gen G Lammie, Comd 3 District. National Archive WO 373/72. |