FUNERAL OF SERGT R W BALLARD OF BADSEY
As briefly reported in last week’s Journal, the funeral of Sergt Ronald William Ballard, RAF, took place at St James’ Church, Badsey, on Thursday last. Sergt Ballard had previously been posted missing from air operations.
Born 21 years ago at Badsey, Sergt Ballard was the son of Mr & Mrs A W Ballard of Sunnyside, Badsey Fields Lane, Badsey. He was educated at Badsey School and afterwards at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Evesham, where he matriculated. Upon leaving school he entered the offices of the Evesham Rural District Council, where he was engaged under Mr R J Atkinson (Surveyor to the Council). He left this post to join the RAF in June 1940, and was a wireless operator and air-gunner. He was well known locally as a good shot and a cricketer. For several years he was a member of the choir at St James’ Church, Badsey. He had a wide circle of friends, was popular generally and sympathy is extended to his relatives and friends in their sad bereavement. He is survived by his parents and three sisters.
Canon W C Allsebrook, MA, RD, officiated at the service, at which many mourners were present, filling the church. The bearers were six sergeant pilots from Sergt Ballard’s squadron.
The family mourners present were: Mr & Mrs A W Ballard (parents), Miss Page, Miss Doreen Ballard (sister), Mr & Mrs J Pethard, Mr & Mrs W Hardiman (uncles and aunts), Reg Hardiman, AB (cousin), Mrs Cockerton (aunt) and her daughter, Mrs T Hayes (great-aunt), Mrs Jelfs, Mrs Halford and Mr Hainge (cousins), Mr R Pethard. Warrant Officer Boyle represented the RAF and Messrs R J Atkinson, C H Gardiner, A J Billings, J J Cavanagh and four members of their staffs attended on behalf of the Evesham Rural District Council. Mr G H Sutton, BSc, BA (PHGS) and Mr F E Amost (Headmaster of Badsey School), together with Miss McDonald also attended. Mr C A Binyon and several members of the Parochial Church Council were also present.
The many beautiful floral tributes included wreaths from the following: Father, mother and sisters; his officers, sergeants’ mess and airmen; Molly, Grannie, Aunt Elsie and Uncle Jack, Uncle Will and Aunt Elsie; Reg, Joyce and Trevor; Aunt Rose and Uncle Bert; Evelyn, Mr & Mrs E Emms, Mrs Marsh and Mr Jones, Mrs Ankers and Nancy, Mrsw Dungworth, Mr & Mrs A Harwood, Mrs Mustoe, Senior, and family, Mr & Mrs Keen and Ron, Mr & Mrs D Jelfs, Mr & Mrs G H Churchill and Winston, all at Sandford Villa; Tom, Annie, Lily and Len; Women’s Institute Whist Drive Committee; Mrs & Mrs Stanton, Kate and Will, Mr & Mrs A Sears and family; “all at the Little Cottage”; Norman and Jack Hartwell, Mrs Bonehill, Mrs Webb, Edith and Bert; Evesham Rural District Council; Bill Keen; “his pal from overseas”; Mr & Mrs Newbury, Alf and Vera, Mr & Mrs F Jones, Mr & Mrs A Jones; The Wheatsheaf; Sadler Bros and Mrs Sadler.
On Wednesday Mr & Mrs Ballard were informed by the Air Ministry that Sergeant Ballard was killed in action.
We are grateful to Peter Stewart for supplying a copy of this article.