The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1670) Private William George Ball, 23rd Battalion, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (1670) Private William George Ball, 23rd Battalion, First World War.

1670 Private William George Ball, 23rd Battalion
KIA 21 November 1915
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 17 October 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private William George Ball.

William Ball was born around 1894 to William and Kate Ball of Bendigo, Victoria. He attended the Violet Street State School, and went on to work as a driver. He was a keen sportsman, taking an active interest in athletics and boxing, and was a prominent player for the West Bendigo and Press Australian Rules Football Clubs. He was also an active member of the local Methodist Sunday School.

When war broke out in 1914 Ball was engaged to Ruby Evelyn Reed. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in November 1914, a few months before his 21st birthday, and needed his mother’s permission to do so. He was accepted for active service, and began an extended period of training. Private Ball did not leave Australia for active service overseas until July 1915. He left with reinforcements to the 21st Battalion, and was later transferred to the 23rd Battalion. There he met with an old friend from Bendigo, Private Oliver Heath, and resumed a strong friendship.

A few months later, on 20 September 1915, Private Ball embarked on the troopship Georgian to join the rest of his battalion on the Gallipoli peninsula. He arrived after the major offensive actions of the campaign had taken place. Although quieter, the peninsula was still a dangerous place to be, and Ball was killed in action. He was 21.

His friend Private Oliver Heath reported that
"you can rest assured he never had a painful or lingering death … I was almost beside myself when I heard the news, though I was not very far away, for Will and I were great chums, not only here but in far away Bendigo. You have my heartfelt sympathy, for I feel his death very much … you can feel proud, for he died a hero’s death at his post."

Private William Ball was buried nearby, and his sergeant arranged for a cross to mark the place. He was later reinterred in the cemetery at Lone Pine, where he lies today under words chosen by his mother: “In loving memory of my darling son & our dear brother, sadly missed.”

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private William George Ball, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section