Ball, Harold Charles

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX48388 Private (Pte) Harold Charles Ball who served with 2/9 Field Ambulance (Motor Transport Section), Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC). Prior to enlistment, Ball was an Australian Rules football player for the Melbourne Football Club. Collection comprises 15 original handwritten letters, all but one of which was written by Pte Ball to his parents and his brother George in Merbein, rural Victoria. His first letter is dated 14 August 1940 and was sent whilst he was in Caufield Military Hospital with bronchitus, whilst in training camp, and his last letter is dated 8 September 1941 whilst in Malaya. The descriptive letters contain a wealth of information about his February 1941 troopship voyage, including comments on the conditions and daily routine, his cabin, and the good food. His later letters describe trips to the theatre and picture shows, sports meetings, football matches, skin trouble (Dhoby's itch), and turning 21. He often talks about his plans to buy a camera, his growing photography hobby, and sending snapshots home to this family. Pte Ball comments on the fall of Kuala Lumpur and how his friends escaped before the Japanese arrived, as well as his leave visits to Kuala Lumpur to stay with his friends, the Noall family. His concern for George is evident in his brotherly advice about his brother's future, including his upcoming wedding, and his assurance '...don't worry there's not a bullet made that can travel as fast as I can'. Several times he describes concerts he has attended, including one to see Betty Bryant, an Australian star. In his letter dated 20 June 1941, he tells George that he attended a concert with a 'little baby organ' that [has] been '...autographed by over 500 soldiers, including myself...after the war its going to be presented to the War Museum'. Collection also includes one letter written to Harold in January 1942 from George and his then fiance Alma. Pte Ball was captured and killed by the Japanese in Malaya on 9 February 1942. His body was found three months later by a working party of Australian prisoners of war who identified him by his identity disc still attached to his body.