Lest we forget: BALL, Bob – Grenadier Guards 2nd Bn

Surname: Ball
First Name: Bob
Nickname:
Awards:
Number: 24042291
Junior Service Location: Oswestry
Junior Service Date: 1964-66
Junior Company: Guards
Junior Rank: J/Gdsm
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Permanent Staff Rank:
Regiment: Grenadier Guards 2nd Bn
Regular Service Date: 1966-72
Retirement Rank: Sgt
Age: 63
Date of Death: 2012 Jan 18
Gravesite: St Thomas O'Beckett Church, Warblington, Emsworth Hants
KIA/DIS:
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From Graham Fowler – Bob Ball was a J/Gdsn leapfrogger in guards Company leaving IJLB in early 1966, he joined 2 Grenadier Guards in Wuppertal BAOR and was almost immediately promoted L/Cpl in early 1968 he was selected to be an instructer at the Guards Depot after passing the course he was promoted L/Sgt and posted to the Junior Guardsmens Company.
On completion of his depot tour, he asked to be posted to No 2 Coy 2 Grenadier Guards that was due to be attached to 1 Scots Guards for a 9 month unaccompanied tour in Sharjah in the then Trucial States now the UAE’s this was granted and he was posted to 1 Scots Guards in Jan 1970, during this tour he was seconded to the Sultan of Omans Army for three months after the coup, and helped train numerous Oman and Baluch troops with whom he accompanied on their first combat mission to Dhofar and was awarded two medals by the new Sultan Quaboos.
In 1971 he was promoted to Gold Sergeant and posted to British Honduras now Belize, for a 6 months unaccompanied tour with a Grenadier Guards independant company. Whilst on this tour the Guatamalians moved their army to the border and started sabre rattling as they claimed British Honduras belonged to them. Amongst other contingency plans the remainder of 2 Grenadier Guards was sent out to British Honduras along with some Harriers to reinforce the garrison. This resulted in Bobs tour being extended by three months. At the end of 1971 he returned to Caterham Barracks with 2 Grenadier Guards and then started Public Duties. In late 1972 his 6 years were up he left the service and joined the Surrey Police.