Lawrence Charles R I Ballard was the sixth of nine children born to William Sylvester Ballard and Annie; husband of Grace M. neé Young. He was born on 8th May 1897 in Dorchester, Dorset. When he left school he became a Tool fitter before enlisting in Liverpool on 23rd March 1915. Following his basic training in Deal, Kent he then found himself at Gallipoli from 23rd October 1915 to 8th January 1916. Following a period with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force he disembarked in France on 12th May 1916 and was killed in action at the Battle of the Ancre on 13th November 1916.

Paul Ballard