Definitive Albert Ball

Frank_Olynyk · 20 April 2003, 12:54 AM

Mike,

Yes. I have, I think, all of the books he produced. The Bishop one actually is quite good, with good research in it. The others are mostly just the combat reports (the successful combats; there are an enormous number of indecisive combats reported by squadrons, especially 1916-17). The Bishop book could have started a reputation; but now he is nameless.

Frank.

Alan · 20 April 2003, 01:26 AM

Thanks for citing those sources...I can tell it might be a trick or two to locate some but a little perseverance never hurt...

Scarlett, I'll respond privately as it really isn't germain to this thread, but thanks for the location of the papers.

Irish41 · 21 April 2003, 07:43 AM

Frank,

What is the combat reports book? I didn't know they were published. I'll have to look for that one. They were stolen out of the PRO, is this by someone who stole them? Remaining anonymous?

Any leads on where to look?

Cheers,
Scarlett

Frank_Olynyk · 21 April 2003, 09:46 PM

The thief prepared ten spiral bound books of combat reports for aces, under the imprint of MvR Publications; Bader and Finnucane from WW2, von Richthofen (his first book), McCall, Leacroft, Fullard, Collishaw, Claxton, Ball and Bishop. They are very hard to find today; I am sure he would not dare to publish additional copies. I would not be surprised if there were a maximum of 100 copies of each printed, and would not find anything from only 10 to 25 surprising. He also self-published a biography of the World War 2 ace Dickie Cork under the name Wren. He was convicted of theft, and much of the material was recovered, but not all. His name is known; I prefer that he be nameless. He has committed a crime against civilization, which I consider to be a capital offense.

Frank.

Irish41 · 22 April 2003, 02:38 AM

Your opinion of such people is spot on Frank. I cannot express how low I rate looters of our written records.

Cheers,
Scarlett

3 May 2003, 04:02 AM

I was just looking through the pages of threads..and noticed this .
Alan I saw on a later thread you said you have never seen a picture of Ball smiling . In the Chaz Bowyer book "

Albert Ball VC " there are several pics of him with a big cheesey grin ...I like the best one on page 82.

Alan · 3 May 2003, 04:40 AM

Hey, thanks! *I don't have any of the books...yet...but that's good to know...

Irish41 · 3 May 2003, 06:24 AM

There are many photos of him smiling, they are not all in the books though. His parents kept scrapbooks of virtually every thing Albert did to get recognition for, and there are many newspaper photos in them. He was a very happy boy

By the way, I am trying to do some newspaper searching, so if anyone on here lives in England and does research, are you for hire?

Scarlett

Irish41 · 7 May 2003, 04:17 AM

Remembering

Albert Ball on this sad anniversary day. On 7 May 1917 he flew his last mission. It ended in his death, which I firmly believe was caused by his plane and no enemy action.

He is forever a brave youth, who inspired a generation to deeds of glory, and left many broken hearts. I'm sure there will be a ceremony in Nottingham at his memorial. Wish I could be there to pay my respects. :'(

I think Brooke's poem an appropriate thought that Albert would identify with:

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

7 May 2003, 04:36 AM

Bravo Irish.......perfect words .
Here's to Albert