Richard Beart Ball

Served with Essex County Constabulary from May 1, 1935 and died on Jun 27, 1945.

Police Constable Richard Beart Ball was born on 29th May 1913 in Aylsham. 

He joined Essex County Constabulary on 1st May 1935, having previously served in the army from 30th January 1928 to 15th April 1935. After Headquarters training he was posted to Chelmsford on 22nd June 1935. Subsequently Richard saw service in the north of the county, being transferred to Halstead on 5th September 1936, Foxearth on 15th November 1937, and finally Dunmow on 22nd March 1939. On 9th February 1942, Richard joined the R.A.F. He went missing on Wednesday, 27th June 1945, whilst serving as Flight Sergeant 1320457 with 117 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 

He was aged 32, and left a widow, Marjorie Betty Ball of Thorpe-le-Soken, whom he had married on 31st January 1942, just days before joining the R.A.F. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Column 449 of the Singapore War Memorial in Singapore.