James Ballard was the eldest of seven children of William Ballard & Fanny neé Baggs. He was born on 25th August 1867 at Wootton St Lawrence, Hampshire. James worked as a labourer but was also in the 3rd Hampshire Militia Regiment & soon decided to enlist full time. He attested as Private 1534 on 16th October 1884 and during his time with the 1st Hampshire Battalion he served in the Bengal Presidency and received the India Medal. James was transferred to the 1st Class Reserve on 27th January 1892 but just four years later, on 16th October 1896, he was re-engaged for Section "D" for four years and subsequently recalled to Army Service under special Army Order on 26th December 1899. He was discharged on completion of his engagement & received the Kings South Africa Medal with 1901 & 1902 clasps. On the outbreak of war James one again enlisted this time in the 4th Hampshire Regiment, regiment number 2448, as a Private. He was 48 years old. Previous service in India made him a natural candidate to serve there and he was posted on 13th December 1914. James was, however, seriously ill. Whilst aboard H.M. Hospital Ship "Syria" (23 April 1915 to 27 June 1915) he was examined and found to be suffering from leukaemia & he returned to the UK on 1st August 1915. James was discharged as no longer physically fit on 27th November 1915 & subsequently died in Basingstoke, Hampshire on 9th November 1917.

Paul Ballard