Memorial Title

Capt A Ball VC DSO MC - Painting

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW1 war memorial comprising a Painting 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 Fenn room
Trent College
Derby Rd (A6005)
Long Eaton
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
NG10 4AD

NGR:
SK 48254 33818 ±5m
(Map opens in new window.)

Location details:
On the inside south wall of The Fenn room, towards its eastern end.

Type

Overall type: Painting.

Overall condition: Good

Description:

An upright oblong painting in oil on canvas depicting a three-quarters length posthumous portrait of Capt Ball wearing his Royal Flying Corps uniform and carrying his flying jacket over his left arm. (His medal ribbons include the Victoria Cross which was not awarded until after his death.) The painting is signed "Denholm Davis 1917" in the bottom left corner and is mounted in a wooden frame with an egg and dart moulding. The painting is accompanied by a small white metal plaque on a wooden backboard. The plaque bears an inscription incised in upright capital roman lettering.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Painting	Oil, canvas	1070	800	-	Good
Frame	Wood	1280	1050	100	Fair
Plaque	Metal	35	100	1	Fair
Backboard	Wood	80	140	20	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

ALBERT BALL, V.C.
PORTRAIT PRESENTED BY
Mrs. G. S. ANDERSON
MAY,1967.

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	First World War (1914-1919)
Action or event	Western Front, Aerial Warfare 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

1917: The painting was executed by Noel Denholm Davis.

May,1967.: The painting was presented to the school by Mrs G S Anderson.

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

References and Acknowledgements

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.

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