Memorial Title

Capt A Ball VC DSO MC - Board with Propeller

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW1 war memorial comprising a board bearing an aircraft propeller at Trent College, Long Eaton, Derbyshire commemorating Capt Albert Ball VC DSO MC.

Images

Click on an image for a larger view.

Locations

Last known location:
The Devonshire Library,
Trent College
Derby Rd (A6005)
Long Eaton
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
NG10 4AD

NGR:
SK 48223 33836 ±5m
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Location details:
Above the door on the north wall inside the library

Type

Overall type: Board (with propeller).

Overall condition: Good

Description:

A horizontal oblong oaken board with a moulded border stepped at the corners, each of which contain a raised disc. A further narrower moulding follows inside the main one, leaving a blank margin between the two. At the head is an oblong panel bearing a gilded badge of the Royal Air Force within a gilded margin, and to each side of it are slightly recessed panels bearing the dates 1914 and 1918. Below that is the first part of the inscription.

At the centre of the board is a wooden laminated propeller extending horizontally beyond the sides. (WW1 fighter aircraft propellers were often made of laminated ash and walnut wood but it not known if this one is so constructed.) The propeller is afixed with a metal boss at the centre.

Below the propeller is the remainder of the inscription and at the foot is a motto within an oblong panel with gilded border.

All of the lettering is in gilded upright capital roman lettering.

To the left of the board is a framed photograph of Capt Ball holding this or a similar propeller, and below that is a framed inscription.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Board	Oak	c1500	c1900	c50	Good
Propeller	Laminated wood, metal	c350	c3250	c350	Good
Photograph frame	Not known	c700	c600	c30	Good
Inscription frame	Not known	c420	c450	c30	Good
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

Board:

1914 1918
PRESENTED
BY THE
ROYAL AIR FORCE

AS A MEMENTO OF GALLANT SERVICE
IN THE GREAT WAR
RENDERED BY
FT. CDR. ALBERT BALL V.C. D.S.O.
AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS SCHOOL

AD MAJORUM GLORAM DEI.

Framed inscription below photograph:

Captain Albert Ball VC, DSO and 2 Bars, MC.
Notts and Derby Regt and Royal Flying Corps
Old Trident 1911 - 1913
Died 7 May 1917, aged 20 yrs

"One of the great British pilots of ww1"
Posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
for "most conspicuous and consistent Bravery"

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	First World War (1914-1919)
Action or event	Death of Capt Ball (7th May 1917)
Number died	1
Number served and returned	0
Total names	1

Administration

Custodian: The governors of Trent College.

Local authorities:
From WW1: Long Eaton Parish Council; Long Eaton Urban District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Erewash Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

25th June, 1925: The memorial was dedicated by Dr James T Inskip, Bishop Suffragan of Barking.

2nd April, 2024: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in good condition.

References and Acknowledgements

The Nottingham Journal; 26th June, 1925, p5 col2: a report on the dedication of the memorial.
Derby Telegraph; 26th June, 1925, p22: a report on the dedication of the memorial.
We are grateful to James Gregory, Director of Operations at Trent College for his assistance in surveying this memorial.

Comments

Capt Albert Ball is acknowledged as a WW1 flying ace who enlisted in 2/7th (Robin Hood) Battn, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt) but subseqently transferred to 56th Sqn Royal Flying Corps. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order and 2 Bars, Military Cross, was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Croix de Chevalier, Legion d'Honneur (France), the Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia) and was an Honourary Freeman of the City of Nottingham. He died on 7th May, 1917 aged 20 years.

The propeller memorial was installed in what was then the dining room as part of a refurbishment of the room following a major fire. The main part of the restoration project was the installation of oak panelling costing £1000 donated by 400 old boys. The dining room was converted into a library in 2010.

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