Charles Robert Balls

A Corporal with 2nd Bn., Charles died on 25th of September 1915 at the age of 30. 

Charles was born at Somerleyton in 1885, a son of Charles and Ellen Balls. In 1891 his family lived next to the Post Office, The Street, Somerleyton. This was still their home in 1901 when Charles worked as a gardener. 

Charles was working as a butcher when he enlisted in the Rifle Brigade to serve seven years with the Colours and five with the Reserve. He enlisted at Great Yarmouth on 2 May 1907. Charles was posted to the 1st Battalion on 3 September 1907 and to the 2nd Battalion, in India, on 16 October 1908. On 2 August 1914 he extended his engagement to serve 12 years with the Colours.  

When the war began Charles was serving with the 2nd Battalion in India. They sailed from Bombay on 20 September, landing at Liverpool on 21 October. Charles arrived in France, with the Battalion, on 6 November 1914. 

Between 10 and 13 March 1915 the 2nd Battalion fought in the Battle of Nueve Chapelle. Charles received a gunshot wound to his buttock. On 14 March 1915 Charles was admitted to 13 Stationary Hospital. he was discharged to a Convalescence Camp on 13 April 1915 and returned to duty on 16 April 1915. During the battle the 2nd Battalion casualties were 12 officers and 365 men. 

On 16 July 1915 Charles was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal. Later he was appointed Acting Corporal. 

On 25 September 1915 the 2nd Battalion were involved in the Battel of Loos. They were given the task of attacking Corner Fort and associated trenches. C Company and 80 specially trained bombers crawled forward, during the preliminary barrage, and attacked the fort. By 6 a.m. the German second line had been taken. About 3 p.m. the Germans made a serious counter-attack which was rebuffed. By 3.45 p.m. the other battalions in the Brigade had withdrawn and the 2nd Battalion was also ordered to withdraw.

The Battalion's casualties amounted to six officers killed and three wounded, with 32 other ranks killed, 173 wounded and 29 missing. Charles was one of the men killed in action.