Michael Ball 65-89

Musician Ball · Michael Ball 65-89

Dear All

Sorry to butt in to your forum but I am trying to compile a scrap book of my brother Michael Ball for my children, and of course for me too. If any of you remember him, or have photos of him I would appreciate it if you could forward them to me at trevor@playgolfvip.com or simply write in this forum. I enclose a photo of Michael 2-81 troop, sadly killed during the deal bombing. Before I finish, it is not my intention to open up any raw memories and if you would rather not contribute I will fully understand. Kind regards Trevor Ball.

Click to see full size image

Aaron Aardvark

Hello Trevor and welcome. Most of us knew Michael and of course we will help in any way.

RAB

Hello Trevor,
A very warm welcome to the Forum of your 'extended' family. Apoligies I can't help you as Michael joined after I left. The Forum is a bit quiet at the moment, but when others pop back in I'm sure you'll get more help, stories and info than you ever dreamt of...

Good luck, and stay a part of the Forum...

Musician Ball

Thanks guys very much. I've probably met many of the chaps in this forum over the years; Mike and I being close in age and all. I'm sure many were at his wedding. I remember them being smart and well turned out at the beginning and in bits by the end of it. I met several in Hong Kong during the handover in 97 and had a great evening at Ned Kelly's last stand where several of the guys performed on stage and others dribbled over the cute Chinese nurse I brought along for the occasion. Happy days. TB

Kratos

Hi Trevor,
I remember Mick very well. he was in pretty much his last term in training when I joined in Jan '84. he was always very smart and dressed in the finery of the mid 80's, his "New Romantic" quiff was a sight to see before going ashore on a saturday night.
I served with Mick in '88 at Deal before I was drafted to FOSNI. I regularly met up with him and my best mates Tim Reeves and Andy Clitheroe, as my parents live in Sandwich.
He was a fine flautist, and a gentleman, he upheld the traditions of the RMBS with great virtue.
Best wishes to you and your family, Matt Gates 1/84.

Musician Ball

Thanks Matt
All these memories are invaluable to me and the nephews and niece Mike never knew. It gives great insight into his character and hopefully, and I am sure they will, see a piece of Mike in themselves. My eldest boy is always smart and not a hair out of place, he loves his saxophone, dancing and flirting with girls. He's 7 years old, and also called Micheal. He looks just like him too, skinny as a rake. Thanks again for your note Matt we really appreciate it. TB

Dan A

Hi Trevor...we have communicated before. I was the Drum Major of the Fleet band in London when Mick was there. A quiet guy, good looking with the dark hair falling over his eyes...at the time he had the red sports car...either his or his girl friends ...i cannot remember....he used to wear a long dark coat in winter and a scarf... lol... quite a smoothy..always polite and well spoken, and smart.....a genuine nice lad. I think there is a pic of him somewhere on this sight...taken at the monumental pissup following the bands tour of duty at the the Windsor Castle guard mounting...

Its so difficult at times to recall them all, then guilt sets in because you cannot remember what they looked like, spoke like, cannot remember their characteristics....however Mick always seems forever in 1986 long coat, scarf and sports car with a good looking girl.... a great guy in a great band at a great time.....Micky Ball RIP

best wishes
Dan Archer

Musician Ball

Thanks Dan for your post. Yup that was Michael. He was never a fashionable boy but for some reason never had a hair out of place, and always had great looking women, apart from one young lady he courted from Deal. Bless her. Sadly for Michael he was under the weather the day he was killed. His wife asked him to call in sick and stay in bed, but he refused and went into work as usual though a little bit late. It is quite easy to beat yourself up with such stories and I am sure his wife did and perhaps still does. You just never know when its going to go pear shaped. Again thanks for the post. I'll look for the photo you mentioned. TB

Rich Austin · Mick

Hi there Trevor,

I joined up with Mick in 1981 and was a good friend throughout training. We even did a duet together on an open day during training and again at the Painted Hall in Greenwich which is still a great memory. Lo! Hear the Gentle Lark! A superb musician, who many of us thought should have won the Cassel prize during that time (81-84). Mick, me and Barney were a regular little team in the New Inn (and many others), until we were drafted to different bands, Mick to Fleet, me to Pompey etc. Apart from Massed Band jobs I didn't see much of Mick until I too got drafted back to Deal. I remember rooming with him on a trip to Florida to launch a cruise liner, where we hired a speedboat for the day ond got told off by the locals for driving too fast past their multi-million dollar yachts, as they sipped their cocktails...... Mick was at the wheel..... honest.....Sadly, I was also there the day he was killed......a memory that is still fresh and will never leave. Neither will my good memories of your brother.

A great flautist, but also a great guy. Level headed and fun to be around.

If you want me to dig up some old pictures of Mick during training in Scotland and around Deal I'm sure I can oblige. If you want to get in touch please do and if so, I look forward to hearing from you.
richardaustin 1965 @btinternet.com

(please note - e mail address edited by moderator to stop spammers. much safer to use PM Rich)

I'm also pretty sure that Chalky Castledine, myself and a few others would definitely be up for a reunion either at Deal or Pompey next year on or around the anniversary, where we could celebrate the life of and remember both your brother and another great guy, Tim Reeves. Both 2/81 troop and best of the best.

Regards

Rich Austin

Regards