4542414 Corporal Norman Ball was born on 8^th February 1920, the son of James Alfred Ball and Alice Ball (née Masters). He was the youngest of 9 children, 4 of whom, including himself were 2 sets of twins. In June 1921, the family were living at 3 Airany Row, Armley and Bramley, Yorkshire. His father worked as a blacksmith's striker and the family had originally come from Manchester, where his father and several of his siblings were born. His mother, however, had been born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

In 1939, Norman was still living with his parents, now at 2 Hollywell Grove, Leeds and 3 of his siblings. He was employed as a tailor's cutter's apprentice.

Norman served with the Motor Transport (MT) Platoon of Headquarters Company, 11^th Parachute Battalion. He successfully completed Parachute Course 44 at Ramat David, Palestine, from 26^th May until 8^th June 1943.

In the summer of 1944, shortly before being deployed on Operation Market Garden Norman married Lilian Taylor in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. They had met while Norman was posted to Welby Lane Camp and she was a Land Army girl living in Wycliffe House, Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray along with several other girls. For a fit and young soldier in the 11th Parachute Battalion probably about a ten minute run to get from Welby Camp to Lilian's lodgings!

During the Battle of Arnhem, Norman helped saved a 17 year old girl from what she thought was bound to be certain death at the hands of the German SS. His actions help explain why such strong bonds of friendship persist between the Parachute Regiment and the people of Oosterbeek and Arnhem. Norman said:

"When I went into the room I saw her with the SS men and her mouth was bleeding. She told me later that she thought I had saved her life."

On 25^th September 1944 he was wounded and reported missing. He was subsequently reported as having been taken prisoner of war. He was taken to Stalag 11B near Fallingbostel, Germany, and given the POW number 118087. He was finally freed on 10^th May 1945 and returned to England.

On 23^rd May 1950, when his war medals were issued, his address was listed as 5 Holborn St Woodhouse Leeds 6. However, he actually settled in the Ashby and Loughborough area of Leicestershire, where he died on 4^th May 2004, the same year as Lilian.

After the war, neither Norman nor Lilian forgot about their experiences during the war. In 1983 they arranged a reunion at Wycliffe House. Making this even more special they were joined by the adult Attie Schulte.

September 1994 was the 50^th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem and Norman, like many of his colleagues never forgot the sacrifice of those men that never returned. So, Norman returned to Arnhem and repeated the jump he had made in 1944. However, this time it was much less dangerous.

We are still researching the life of Corporal Ball. If you are a relative or have any information about him, please contact us.