Harold Archurt Smith BALLARD

Regimental number4730
Place of birthNarrabri, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressBloomfield Street, Gunnedah, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinMother, Mrs J Ballard, Broomfield Street, Gunnedah, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 August 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll17 August 1915
Place of enlistmentNarrabri, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Battalion, 15th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/19/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A15 Star of England on 8 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll54th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularTaken on strength, 54th Bn, 20 April 1916.
FateKilled in Action 19-20 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFromelles, France
Age at death24
Place of burialRue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery (Plot I, Row F, Grave No. 35), Fleurbaix, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
158
Family/military connectionsBrother: 5034 Pte Edward Henry Smith BALLARD, 54th Bn, returned to Australia, 31 January 1918.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Joined 54th Bn, Ferry Post, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 19 June 1916.

Posted missing, 19/20 July 1916.

Previous report of missing now, 28 July 1916, reported as 'Killed in Action, 19/20 July 1916'.

Buried at Military Cemetery, Rue du Bois, by Reverend F. P. Williams, 20 July 1916.

Statement, Red Cross File No 210704, 4775 Pte J. FEEHAN, 54th Bn (patient, Stirchley Hospital, Birmingham, England), 11 November 1916: 'On the 19th of. (sic) July 1916 at Vermelles Ballard was killed, shot whilst advancing beyond the German first line. I saw him shot. We left him there and later on retiring I saw him lying dead in a communication Trench.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, BALLARD Harold Archurt Smith
Red Cross file 210704