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On Sunday, 7th May 1967, a Service of Commemoration was held in Lenton
Parish Church, in the presence of Her Majesty's Lieutenant for the
County of Nottinghamshire, Major-General Sir Robert Laycock, KCMG, CB,
DSO, also the Sheriff and his Lady, Mr. and Mrs. G. Stafford Anderson
(brother-in-law and sister to Captain Ball) and members of the family,
the Under-Sheriff, Lt. Colonel G.A. Wharton, MBE, TD, DL, Mr. Thomas
Moore, MBE, the Chief Constable and other representatives of the
County and City.
This service was held on the 50th anniversary of the "passing over" of
Captain Albert Ball, VC, DSO, MC, Chevalier Legion of Honour, Russian
Order of St. George, Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham, who
was killed in action, 7th May, 1917. Following the order of Morning
Prayer, after the singing of the specially appointed Psalm 20, which
begins "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble", the Lord Bishop of
Southwell, the Right Reverend Gordon Savage, MA, dedicated a lectern
copy of the Holy Bible, presented to the Parish Church in loving
memory of Captain Albert Ball by his sister Mrs. G. Stafford Anderson
on whose behalf the book was offered to the Bishop by Air Scout
Vincent Armstrong, a great nephew, accompanied by O.D.R. Dixon, Head
Boy, Trent College. The lesson, which followed, was read by Denis
S. Greensmith, MBE, JP, Chairman of the Albert Ball Commemoration
Committee. Following the lesson the choir sang the Te Deum Laudamus,
to the setting of John Ireland in F. The Corps of Buglers, the Robin
Hood (Territorials) Battalion and the Sherwood Foresters (Notts &
Derby Regiment) then sounded the t Post followed by Reveille.
"Greater Love hath no Man" by John Ireland was the anthem sung by the
choir. Prayers were said by the Reverend R.J. Richards, BA, Assistant
Chaplain-in-Chief, Technical Training Command, Royal Air Force. The
singing of "Jerusalem" by choir and congregation was followed by the
sermon, preached by the Lord Bishop of Southwell. To close a most
memorable service the National Anthem was sung and after the Blessing
by the Bishop the choir sang the sevenfold Amen, by Leonard Henniker,
and recessed to the singing of 110 God our Help in ages past. Among
those attending the service were Serving Officers of 56 Squadron,
Royal Air Force, in which Captain Ball served, a detachment and band
from R.A.F. Newton, under the Command of Squadron Leader K.P. Austin,
Group Captain E.H. Jenkins, Officer commanding R.A.F. Newton ' and
contingents from the Robin Hoods, Lieutenant Colonel A.M.N. Rogers,
TD, commanding, and from which Captain Ball was seconded to the Royal
Flying Corps; Nottingham branches of ex-Servicemens Associations;
Trent College, Nottingham High School and Lenton Scouts and Guides.
The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Reverend L.L. Abbott,
ARICS, CF(TA), assisted by the Reverend P.J. Beale, MA,
Curate-in-Charge, and the Churchwardens were Frank Dickenson and
Donald F. Wood. organist and choirmaster was Mr. W.H. Bland.
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