On 3 June, 1945 the British commando Joseph Ball was fatally shot by a trigger-happy Dutch soldier. He was buried in a fieldgrave near Bergen op Zoom in the Netherlands. After the war he was reburied at the British Cemetery at the Ruytershoveweg in Bergen op Zoom. Of his fieldgrave is a photo, and we want to know the following : 1. When and where was this photo taken ? 2. Who are the civilians on this photo ? 3. What is the name of the soldier on this photo ? By the way, the photo of the fieldgrave of Joseph Ball can be found on Fieldgrave Joseph Ball - British commando. We've already contacted the CWGC, National Archives, British Commando Association, and the city of Bergen op Zoom but untill now whe've received no news. If you have any information about the fieldgrave of Joseph Ball or about this photo, would you please let me know ?
On 3 June, 1945 the British commando Joseph Ball was fatally shot by a trigger-happy Dutch soldier. He was buried in a fieldgrave near Bergen op Zoom in the Netherlands. After the war he was reburied at the British Cemetery at the Ruytershoveweg in Bergen op Zoom. Of his fieldgrave is a photo, and we want to know the following : 1. When and where was this photo taken ? 2. Who are the civilians on this photo ? 3. What is the name of the soldier on this photo ? By the way, the photo of the fieldgrave of Joseph Ball can be found on Fieldgrave Joseph Ball - British commando. We've already contacted the CWGC, National Archives, British Commando Association, and the city of Bergen op Zoom but untill now whe've received no news. If you have any information about the fieldgrave of Joseph Ball or about this photo, would you please let me know ? Welcome to the forum.I cannot help with your questions but the photograph may not be of the field grave that cross is one of the `official` CWGC markers .These were on the photographs of the graves sent to the servicemens next of kin.Is his current grave an end of row location? Best Wishes Jim
Have you seen the info here? Fus Joseph Ball, No4 Cdo The info is known, thanks. One of the forum member in that topic, my friend Jack Bakker from Roosendaal, has updated news about his search for more information about the photo of the fieldgrave of Joseph Ball.
The original photo mentioned by Hans. Royal Irish Fusiliers was the Parent Unit and shown on his Headstone. And his headstone at Bergen-op-Zoon Commonwealth War Cemetery (taken by me in 2009)
Found this in a national newspaper, maybe someone can find something out for this man? I'll translate: "The Englishman Joseph Ball is buried in Bergen op Zoom. On saturday 3 june 1945 this commando is shot to death by a Dutch soldier. The only thing the family has, is a picture of his grave with the Dutch family. Joseph's family is looking for contact with this Dutch family and anyone that knows more about Joseph Ball. Who can help them?" No other useful information. An email-adress is mentioned, but don't know if it's OK to post this, as I don't know this man at all. But this is the best place for this man's search, I quess. Maybe someone can help here. Daan
