Albert Ball (18961917) was an English fighter pilot during the First World War.

At the time of his

death he was, with 44 victories, the United Kingdom's leading flying ace. Raised in Nottingham, Ball
was commissioned as asecond lieutenant in October 1914. He transferred to the Royal Flying
Corps(RFC) the following year, and gained his pilot's wings in January 1916. He then joined No. 13
Squadron RFC in France, flying reconnaissance missions before being posted in May to No. 11
Squadron, a fighter unit. From then until his return to England on leave in October, he accrued many
aerial victories, earning twoDistinguished Service Orders and the Military Cross. He was the first
British ace to become a popular hero. After a period on home establishment, Ball was posted to No.
56 Squadron, which was sent to the Western Front in April 1917. He crashed to his death in a field in
France on 7 May, sparking a wave of national mourning and posthumous recognition, which
included the award of the Victoria Cross for his actions during his final tour of duty. His most
renowned enemy, Manfred von Richthofen, remarked upon hearing of Ball's death that he was "by
far the best English flying man".