True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: July, 2023
Reg.#11507, Sergeant George William Ball. OBE. WWI. WWII
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
George William Ball's life was one of variety, adventure and courage.
He served in WWI, he was a pioneer member of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Police, and he was a member of the Alberta Provincial Police (APP). Years later, he joined the RCMP, and he served overseas in WWII. He was appointed Deputy Provost Marshall of the No.1 Provost Corps. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) as well as an Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium). His life was one of bravery, long service and firm commitment to Canada.
George Ball was born in Dublin, Ireland on October 6th, 1894. As a young man, he showed an early interest in the military way of life not unlike many other men of his generation. At the age of 17, he joined the Royal Field Artillery of the British Army, and he served for two stints; the first from 1911 to 1920, and the second stint from 1921 to 1922. After WWI, he immigrated to Canada.
Upon his arrival in Edmonton, George Ball was first employed with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Police. The role of the CPR Police was essentially to ensure public safety for passengers, and to uphold Canadian law. After a four year stretch, he left the CPR Police, and he joined the Alberta Provincial Police (APP) on March 1st, 1929. He became a member of the RCMP in Innisfail, AB when the APP was absorbed into the RCMP. It was April 1st, 1932.
When WWII broke out, the Canadian Army was without an internal police force. A request was made to the government of the day that the RCMP be allowed to form a Provost Company using volunteers from RCMP ranks. George Ball was one of the first RCMP volunteers enlisted in the No. 1 Provost Corps. He was assigned the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM). His promotion to Officer Commanding, No. 7 Provost Company appeared in the Canadian Gazette dated December 28th, 1940. George Ball is also listed on the Roll Call among the RCMP Provost Corps cited in The Quarterly. January 1940.
Overseas, George Ball was eventually promoted to Colonel. He was appointed Deputy Provost Marshall of the First Canadian Army. George Ball was awarded the OBE, Mentioned in Despatches (MID) and made an Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium).
The Citation for the Order of Leopold (Belgium) read, "The King has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred upon the undermentioned in recognition of distinguished service in the cause of the allies: Decoration Conferred by the Belgium Government: Officer of the Order of Leopold with Palm and Croix De Guerre 1940 with Palm."
George Ball saw action during WWII, and there can be no doubt that he witnessed destruction and death in his role as a Provost Commanding Officer. Several members of the Provost Corps were either injured or killed. In 1943, Reg.#13205, Constable James Harvard Delamere Bedlligton was killed in Scotland in a motorcycle accident. In 1944, Reg.#12965, Constable Gordon Ewan Bondurant died as a result of wounds from bomb fragments received in action, while serving with the RCMP Provost Corps in Italy. George Ball lived with the scars of war. He was reminded that he buried some of his subordinates in various cemeteries across Europe.
George Ball answerved the Canada's call for duty in time of war. He served faithfully both in Canada and overseas for many, many years. Shortly after his return to Canada from Europe in 1946, George Ball retired from the RCMP. It was time to enjoy time with family and to travel. He died in Victoria, BC at the age of 70. He is remembered.
& Merle Armstrong. RCMP Vets London, ON. 2017.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
July 23, 2023
