Major Robert Emmett John Ball was the son of REJ Ball and Mary Ball from Leigh-on-sea, Essex. He was made a 2nd Lieutenant on 1st July 1939. He eventually joined the 50th (Indian) Parachute Brigade, attached from the 5th Battalion of the 15th Punjab Regiment. 

Major Ball was the commander of the 50th Brigade MMG Company at Ukhrul during the battle of Sangshak. As the Japanese advanced, he was ordered to destroy his stores and retreat from his position to Sangshak on March 21st by Brigadier Hope-Thompson. Major Ball was eventually killed on the 24th of March 1944, aged 27 years. He was later metioned in despatches. 

Compiled with information from:

India's Paratroopers, A History of the Parachute Regiment of India (London, 1975), K.C. Praval 

Airborne Assault Archive (Boxes 3 H4 20.1.1, 3 H4 20.1.2 and 3 H4 20.1.3)

Article written by Alex Walker