Ballard, William Arthur
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | William Arthur |
Surname | Ballard |
Gender | M |
Age | 30 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 16-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of William and Clara Jane Ballard, of Liverpool. Husband of Joan Ballard. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LW348 |
Markings | LK-X |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Stanley (St. Anne) Churchyard |
Grave Reference | Sec. D. Grave 19. |
Epitaph | I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN FOR WHAT HAS BEEN IS PAST FORGETTING |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 126 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 978237 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 578 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to A19, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | For all who served in 578 Squadron Royal Air Force Burn 1944 - 1945 |
Location | Methodist Church, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text |
Location | Selby Abbey, Selby, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH in Glass topped wooden cabinet |
Memorial Text | In memory of all 578 Sqn Aircrew who failed to return from Ops at RAF Burn |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2052/7 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2050/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-03-1944 |
End Date | 16-03-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Burn |
Day/Night Raid | Night (69% moon) |
Operation | Stuttgart. 863 aircraft, 37 losses (4.3%). The bomber stream made its approach through France, crossing the German border as late as possible, delaying the point at which the German fighters were able to enter the stream. PFF marking was well short of the target, possibly due to the strong winds as the conditions were clear. Although some of the early bombing fell in the city, much of the later bombing fell outside. Damage was light- 88 deaths and 203 injuries. |
Reason for Loss | Ran short of fuel on return leg and the engines began to misfire soon after regaining the south coast The order to bale out was given but three were unable to comply before the aircraft crashed east of Biggin Hill, Kent. |