Thomas Harold Ballard was the second of three children of William Thomas Ballard and Augusta Eliza neƩ Apps. He was born in 1896 in Brede, Sussex. Harold, as he was known, enlisted with the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers and disembarked in France on 5th October 1915. The Battalion, however, was soon on the move and had relocated to Egypt by 22 November & then to Salonika by 4th January 1916. During that year they were specifically involved on 2nd October 1916 in the occupation of Mazirko & on 31st October 1916 in the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they saw action on 15th May 1917 in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) & on 16th October 1917 at the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In July 1918 the 3rd Royal Fusiliers left 85th Brigade, transferred to France, & joined 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The first major offensive in France in which the 3rd Royal Fusiliers were subsequently engaged was the Battle of St. Quentin Canal. This was immediately followed by the Battles of Beaurevoir & Cambrai. It was during the next action, the Pursuit to the Selle, that Harold was killed in action at Le Cateau on 17th October 1918.

Paul Ballard