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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Captain A Ball VC DSO and 2 Bars MC

    Source: Copyright Tracy Dodds

    1/11

    Current Location

    WITHIN CASTLE GROUNDS, Castle Rd, Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 6EL, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SK 56951 39510

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-27446

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    Type of Memorial
    Sculptured / Cast group
    WMR Reference Number
    27446
    Description
    Bronze statue of Captain Ball. Ball stands gazing upwards with hands on belt. Allegorical robed figure of woman representing the air, one hand pointing skywards, the other resting on Ball's shoulder. Sculpture stands on stone plinth. Plinth bears inscription on two of four sides. Plinth surmounts wider, tiered base. Base stands on three steps. Reliefs on two sides of the plinth. One is of a bi-plane flying over German trench lines. One of bi‑plane being flown in clouds. ornamentation surrounding base includes bronze eternal flame and bronze laurel wreath.
    Inscription
    CAPT. ALBERT BALL V.C./ 7TH ROBIN HOOD BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS/ ATTACHED ROYAL FLYING CORPS, DSO (2 BARS) MC/ CROIX DE CHEVALIER, LEIGION D'HONNEUR,/ ORDER OF ST GEORGE (RUSSIAN)/ HON. FREEMAN OF THE CITY OF NOTTINGHAM/ PER ARDUA AD ASTRA IN THE AIR/ HE GAVE MOST CONSPICUOUS/ AND GALLANT SERVICE TO/ HIS COUNTRY AND WAS KILLED/ IN ACTION FIGHTING GLORIOUSLY/ MAY 7TH 1917 AGED 20 YEARS/ PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    1
    Died
    1
    Information shown
    rank,year died,regiment,forename,place of birth,manner of death,age of death,decorations
    Maker(s)
    • HENRY POOLE ARA, Sculptor

    • E A RICKARDS, Designer

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    08th September 1921

    SIR HUGH TRENCHARD

    Dedicated

    8th September 1921

    Rev. J. P. Hales, D.S.O., rector of Cotgrave

    Components

    Plinth

    Made from: Stone - Portland


    Condition: Unknown


    Historic England

    Grade: I

    List Entry: 1246929

    Reasons for Grade I listing: * Rarity: as an exceptionally rare form of public memorial from the First World War; * Historic interest: as a commemoration to, and in honour of, Albert Ball, an outstanding fighter pilot and highly decorated individual of the war; representing a father’s and a city’s tribute to the first of Britain’s most famous First World War fighter pilots; * Sculptural quality: for the exceptionally detailed depiction of the pilot and his flying apparel in bronze, contrasting sharply with matter-of-fact carved depictions of aerial combat; * Symbolism: for the unusual allegorical form of the statue, derived from the Christian tradition of apotheosis, representing the heavenward passage of saints; * Sculptor: as an exceptional example of the work of Henry Poole, an eminent and widely celebrated British sculptor; * Group value: as one element of a powerful and highly graded group of buildings and monuments set within Nottingham Castle.

    Figure

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Unknown


    Historic England

    Grade: I

    List Entry: 1246929

    Reasons for Grade I listing: * Rarity: as an exceptionally rare form of public memorial from the First World War; * Historic interest: as a commemoration to, and in honour of, Albert Ball, an outstanding fighter pilot and highly decorated individual of the war; representing a father’s and a city’s tribute to the first of Britain’s most famous First World War fighter pilots; * Sculptural quality: for the exceptionally detailed depiction of the pilot and his flying apparel in bronze, contrasting sharply with matter-of-fact carved depictions of aerial combat; * Symbolism: for the unusual allegorical form of the statue, derived from the Christian tradition of apotheosis, representing the heavenward passage of saints; * Sculptor: as an exceptional example of the work of Henry Poole, an eminent and widely celebrated British sculptor; * Group value: as one element of a powerful and highly graded group of buildings and monuments set within Nottingham Castle.

    • Mansfield Reporter - Friday 17 June 1921 (The high winds prematurely unveiled the Albert Ball Memorial in Nottingham Castle Grounds)
    • Nottingham Journal - Friday 09 September 1921 HOMAGE TO NOTTINGHAM'S SON. Captain Ball Memorial Unveiled in Castle Grounds. DENSE THRONGS AND MOVING SCENES. Sir Hugh Trenchard's tribute to England's Greatest Air Fighter.
    • Carter Postcard Collection
    • "Statue of Captain Albert Ball, Nottingham Castle." Historic England, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1246929. Accessed 6 October 2024.