Lieut. Alfred Charles BALL   M.C.   R.G.A.  S.R.

At the very start of the war, aged 26, on the 16^th Nov 1914 Charles Ball joined the Scottish Horse Imperial Yeomanry ‘Territorial Force (3rd Reserve) based at Kettering.  He was promoted Acting Lance Corporal on 8^th Sept 1915 and ‘Acting Sergeant’ on 29^th  Jan 1916.

His transfer to the Royal Artillery began with an order to attend the Trench Mortar School, Southern Command at Clive House, Tidworth on Nov 1916.  On 23^rd  Feb 1917 he was recommended for a Commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery and was appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Artillery and posted to an Officers siege course at Bexhill on the 10^th May 1917.  Almost a year later, on the 22^nd March 1918, he was appointed acting captain

The Germans had begun their 1918 Spring offensive on the 21^st of March in the attempt to end the war before the Americans arrived in large numbers. (http://www.firstworldwar.com/ source/kaiserbattle_ludendorff.htm).  and, for a time, the war went badly for the allies.  The German General reported  

‘At most places the battered-in trenches were over-run, and the survivors carne rushing towards the Germans minus their weapons and with their hands in the air.  At other places the English are defending themselves with great stubbornness.  Near Epehy, for example, they defended the edge of the village until the evening.’    ‘… On the whole front of attack the German infantry, determined upon victory, unceasingly pressed forward.  The German artillery fire had produced its effect.  The strong obstacles which had been prepared during many months were destroyed.

The English trenches were transformed into graves, which were full of dead.  Whilst the first lines in places were only thinly occupied, the English offered a brave resistance in their second position, which was broken down in a desperate struggle.’

 Five months later the British counter-attacked.  http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/epehy.htm
The Battle of Epehy was directed against forward outposts of the Hindenburg Line, and was chiefly conducted by General Rawlinson's Fourth Army on 18 September 1918. 

“Trench Mortars. were often the focus of infantry grumbling - for a front-line trench mortar was certain to draw enemy fire - the TM Batteries played an important part in gaining the ascendancy in both attack and defence”   http://www.1914-1918.net/trenchmortars.htm   French assistance which had been promised in the south, never materialised and success was limited on its flanks, but the centre of the advance led by two divisions of the Australian Corps under General Monash - quickly gained around three miles.  Although by no means a large-scale success, Epehy, along with Havrincourt and St Mihiel before it, confirmed growing German weakness, and thus encouraged further Allied action sooner rather than later.   Captain Ball earned his MILITARY CROSS: For exceptional work near Epehy during the separation between September 18th  and 22nd  1918 when his Six-inch Newton mortars had to be got into action quickly at short notice and under difficuIt conditions. He showed utter disregard of danger and responded to all calls made upon him by the B.G.G. infantry in the line.  The mortars had continuaIly to be moved from one position to another, but owing to the untiring energy of this officer, the positions selected were always occupied and targets engaged according to orders.  (Supplement to the London Gazette 30 July 1919)   Charles was demobilized on the 18th November 1919 and married his fiancée a year later.   He died in 1960.