No.41663, Private, Alfred BALLS
Aged 22
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Alphonse Depont Balls was born in Thingoe Union Workhouse (3rd qtr 1896 Bury St. Edmunds 4a:793), son of Jane BALLS. She married William PAYNE in 1898 in Pakenham who adopted both boys.
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Windmill Road, Pakenham with his step-father William PAYNE [32] farm labourer born Ixworth; his mother Jayne [29] born Pakenham; brother Harry BALLS [6] born Islington; half sisters Alice E PAYNE [2] and Daisy F PAYNE[10 months] both born Pakenham. 1911 census...Aged 14, a farm labourer, he was at The Fen, Pakenham with his step-father; mother; brother Harry (farm labourer); half sisters Alice, Daisy and May [8]; half brothers William [6] and Jack[1]. All the new siblings were born in Pakenham. On the pension card his mother was at The Fen, Pakenham His brother Harry was killed in France in 1916 see here One unsolved mystery is, why he is named on the Pakenham memorial,as Alfred PAYNE, but his brother is Harry BALLS? |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds
Dying of his wounds it is impossible, without his service records, to know exactly where he was and when he was wounded. His battalion were involved in the 2nd Battle of the Somme, around Albert.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
