Clifford Ball served with the 23rd Field Engineers in the Pacific theatre of the Second World War. He died of his wounds shortly after the landing on Mono Island on October 27, 1943. It was the first "opposed" landing of New Zealand troops since Gallipoli. I have found few details of how Clifford died but the conditions on the island can be imagined from the following citation for another of his Company:
"Sapper Jack Keith Duncan, 23rd Field Company, NZE. For bravery in the field during the landing of a brigade group on Treasury Islands on 27 October, 1943. Beaches were subjected to very heavy shelling and mortar fire for about five hours after the initial landing had been made. This resulted in many casualties to personnel and damage to ships that were unloading. Sapper Duncan, during the whole of this time, ånd with utter disregard for his own personal safety continued to operate his bulldozer on and in the close vicinity of these beaches in constructing the tracks vitally necessary for the expeditious unloading of ammunition, stores and equipment. His fine example was a very steadying influence on unloading and carrying parties."
FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE
BALL. — On November 1 (on active service), 263816 Gnr. Clifford Endon Ball, loved youngest son of Mr and Mrs I. J. Ball, Charlotte street, Balclutha; aged 24 years. Died of wounds in Pacific.
“His duty nobly done:” -Otago Daily Times, 4/11/1943.
Balclutha Cemetery.
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