Henry Charles Balls
A Leading Seaman with H.M. Yacht Grive, Henry died on 1st of June 1940 at the age of 38.
Henry was born at Fakenham on 24 February 1909, a son of George Frederick and Lucy Balls.
Henry was working as a hawker when he joined the Royal Navy, as a Boy 2nd Class, on 16 April 1925. He served until 23 February 1939 when he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve.
On 26 March 1932 Henry married Rosa Jane Gertrude George at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Henry was a seaman living at 6 Strand Street and Rosa lived at Oulton Street. In 1939 they were living at 52 Denmark Road and Henry worked at the Trinity House Lightship.
Henry was called up from the reserve for service in World War Two. On 1 April 1940 he joined H. M. Yacht Grive. From 30 May 1940 the Grive took part in the Dunkirk evacuation. In three trips the Grive brought back over 1,200 men. On 1 June 1940, while leaving Dunkirk Harbour, the Grive struck a magnetic mine and sank.
See: Frederick Frost killed 1 June 1940 (merseamuseum.org.uk)
Tags
Henry Balls
52
Denmark Road
Lowestoft
United Kingdom
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