Albert Ball some questions and an idea...

[wulffo]

I purchased a maternity fronted uniform of the RFC and had the intention to equip it to match the one Albert Ball was wearing. Then it was my intention to up the Albert Ball display at the Nottingham Castle museum by lending it to them. Unfortunately they are only allowed to accept gifts.
Now I am long a uniform and short the 'rigging instructions'
And this is where I need help:
A. All pictures I have seen that show Albert in this uniform have the RFC collar badges. Is there any evidence that he changed these for Notts&Darbs 7th Regiment i.e. Robin Hood's badges?
B. Which rank would he have had whilst using this jacket?
C. Which decorations would he have had whilst using this jacket?
D. Anything else I need to know?
E. Do you know of a museum in the UK that would be interested in displaying it in memory of Albert Ball (needless to say one of my biggest heros). There would be no strings attached and something like a 5 year loan to be renewed then would be my idea obviously for permanent display in the museum and not the vault....

wulffo

The attached photo shows Albert Ball, on 19th Feb 1917. The rank he had on the maternity jacket was that of Captain. The medals are the D.S.O. and M.C. I think the 3rd medal is the French Croix de Guerre. I have not seen any photos of Ball with anything other than RFC badges on his maternity tunic.

I hope this helps you

Old Bill

wulffo

I forgot to add that a good museum to approach would be the Museum of Army Flying, based at the Army Air Corps airfield, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire UK. SO20 8DY (tel 01980 674421) They have a web site at www.flying-museum.org.uk/home.html
The museum traces the history of Army flying from the days of Buffalo Bill (aka William Cody) who brought flying to the UK right through to the present day.

Hope this is of use to you

Best wishes

Old Bill

[MikeW]

Old Bill,


sorry, but you are mixing up your Codys!

Buffalo Bill - William F Cody

The pioneer aviator - Samuel F Cody

Don't think they were related.


Mike

Mike

You are right. I was mixing them up. :-[ You are also correct in saying that they were not related. I read a book about Sam Cody a few months ago. Basically he would appear to be 'economical with the truth' and prepared to say anything to get publicity. When he came to England from the USA, with his wild west show he intimated he was a relative of William Cody, until a law suite made him retract his comments. Despite all that he was an interesting character, and he did bring aviation to the UK.

Best wishes

Old Bill

Wulffo,

In regards to 'E.' above, why not try this link: www.TrentCollege.Nott.sch.UK ? This was Ball's old school; they even have the original gravemarker (the one the Germans erected) adorning one of their halls. Best of luck on your project.

Captain Lewis

PS From what I know, Ball holds the record on # of victories over period of time; even better than Luke and Bishop. You'll have to refer to Alex Revell's excellent High in the Empty Blue.

From what I know, Ball holds the record on # of victories over period of time; even better than Luke and Bishop.

Even better than Lothar von Richthofen? I will have to check the figures, but I thought LvR had the record for fewest days at the front to rack up so many career kills. Are you referring to Ball scoring a substantial string in a short period, rather than his entire career? Even on that measure I thought Kurt Wolff outdid everyone due to his streak during Bloody April.

[Ginger.]

What surprises me is that any of Ball's victims survived his attentions. Most recieved a full Lewis drum, neatly placed between the engine and the crews seats, from less than thirty yards away. Yet some of the German pilots got their aircraft down in one piece.

[Richard_Schrader]

Ginger;
Even the best of shots miss sometimes!

Richard

[wulffo]

thanks for the idea with the college, i will try to follow up on this. concerning the robin hood badges. has anyone seen a photo of ball with these on his maternity fronted jacket and how would the medal bar have looked in detail?