Arrangements for the funeral of
Major Leonard Ball.
Waseley Hills Crematorium
Wednesday 24th July at 1pm.
Leonard’s family and friends will be gathering for a service of celebration, rememberence & farewell at Waseley Hills Crematorium at 1pm.
All those who knew and loved Leonard are welcome to attend.
Afterwards all are invited for refreshments at The Green Dragon in Sambourne, Leonard’s favourite Sunday lunch venue, to continue to share stories and memories.
No flowers please but if you wish to do something in Leonard’s memory, donations to Birmingham Hospice & Marie Curie would be welcomed.
You will find details for Waseley Hills, The Green Dragon, the dresscode and how to donate, in the sections below.
Leonard’s family welcome any tributes, words of remembrance and stories about him so do feel free to leave any messages at the bottom of this webpage. (Please note comments are moderated so do not go live immediately)
Messages / Comments
Waseley Hills Crematorium & Map
Wake Info
Donation / Flowers
Dresscode
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I have very fond memories of Len being my Admin Officer at 202 General Hospital (V). He taught me a lot about being a Military Clerk and gave me the opportunity to take minutes at meetings. From this I went and gained by secretarial qualifications and continue to be a secretary to this day. Thank you Len, you will be missed X
Firstly my heartfelt condolences to all the family, it goes without saying that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I have known Mr Leonard Ball & Mrs Ann Ball for approximately 20 years.
We first met at PC World when Mr Ball asked me with great caution, ‘kal do you do private work’ I kinda of did the ‘indian head nod’ and just like that I became their Technology go to person.
Mr Ball, what can I say, a very calm, collective and humble gentleman, it is an absolute blessing and honour to have known such a wonderful person, who never minced his words and in my experience always had an empathetic approach.
Mr Ball was like superman, he just never stopped, he would constantly be gardening, carrying out some DIY, and his garage is like Aladdin’s cave, if a tool is not in there, it pretty much didn’t exist. Although he loved traditional approaches, he was impressed with that fancy new battery operated Jet Wash for the car.
Mr and Mrs Ball knew they could contact me at any time for anything and their gratitude is second to none.
I’ve been lucky enough to have had lunch and spent time with the family as a whole when Suzanne has visited the UK. Suzanne definitely has a perfect blend of both parents.
I am extremely humbled and blessed to have spent many hours with the family and we have sure had some great jokes.
I recall once in 2007 when i took Mr and Mrs Ball out in my car and demonstrated my extravagant sound system with the two 12″ subwoofers in the boot, I’m still not sure if Mr Ball was impressed or petrified by the extreme noise and shaking or every organ in the human body.
Life is precious, short and filled with teachings. When we are blessed and cross paths with such beautiful souls in our journey of life, it sure puts a lot in to perspective.
Sending you all positive wishes and love 🙏
May – Major Leonard Ball rest in peace and your legacy shine bright☀️
I also have very fond memories of Len, he helped and supported me in making the right decisions in the progress of my military career. Have lots of memories of time within the mess. Len was always the Gentleman. Condolences to his family Rest in Peace Len
Major (read) Richard Willis TD MSc VR
Major Ball was a very imposing figure when I joined 202 Gen Hospital RAMC(V).
He was quite fearsome just like his little terrier dog.
Always the pragmatist and negotiator when I mooted leaving 202 and joining the RCT at 237 Sqn I suddenly went from Pte to full Corporal. I know that Major Ball and my father were good friends and supped each other. My mother and father are long gone and I hope Ann will appreciate that will represent the Willis family in its entirety. Major Ball was true Corp man.
In Arduis Fidelis.
24272576 S/Sgt W A C Friel RAPC
Friend (I hope) Disagreements (A few) Joint Respect (Total)
I first met Len in the distant 1973 when he came to Lloyds Kings Heath when he came in to carry out financial transactions for 202 Gen Hosp
Whilst chatting he asked me whether I would be interested in a part time job as a pay clerk at 202, as the bank was not a well paid job . He was desperate 202 had only 1 pay clerk to sort out the pay & accounts. I was gullible.
Having joined I was expected to go on a recruits course but I was also required to go on annual camp both in the same year. We negotiated and I don’t know how he managed it, I went on annual camp and never completed a recruits course.
I was quickly promoted to Cpl and then was due after only 3 years due to be promoted to Sgt. Further negotiations, I couldn’t go on a seniors course and go to annual camp. Len waved his magic wand and I never went on a seniors course. I must be the only soldier in the TA to have not been on any military course. No wonder I was no good at drill or giving drill instructions.
Knowing of my dislike of drill and with Len’s help I would arrange a pay parade at camp to follow on straight after a major parade so I was unable to attend the military parade. Also if there was a military exercise I didn’t want to go on I would say to Len I am too busy with the pay and accounts and he would arrange for me to be excused.
Len and I had this mutual respect which we never broke. If he was in need of assistance with some administrative job he only had to ask and I would immediately help.
I have managed to keep in touch with Len and his wife over the years mainly through the RAMC Assoc. There will now be a large gap and my thoughts and prayers go out to Len’s wife and family at this time.
With Great Respect, Goodbye dear friend.
Tony Friel
Len was the Admin Officer who completed my recruitment paperwork into 202 Gen Hosp, and was always very supportive, as I worked my way up through the ranks. However he was very stern if you submitted incorrect paperwork to him, but being on the pay side of things, this did not happen too often – but I did incur his wrath once or twice.
He was very pleased when I was also accepted into the role of Regimental Admin Officer of 202 Field Hospital, and always kept asking me about the problems I had with the admin of the Unit – which seemed to be very similar with the problems he had years before.
A wonderful man, he will be missed.
Len will always be fondly remembered by so many of us from ‘202’. Over the years we have kept in touch at least annually at ‘The Dinner’ where he always had a warm smile and addressed us ladies as ‘my dear’. We will miss him greatly. Over very many years as Len’s health declined he has been so well supported by his lovely wife Ann who is amazing. Well done Ann. Sending our sympathy to you and your family. Apologies I am not able to attend Len’s funeral, but will be thinking about you.
Len and his wife Ann have been great friends to the Wood family for over 40 years. They have both been very supportive and generous with their time through life’s ups and downs.
Len always enjoyed visits to a nice pub for a pint or a meal and was good company.
Ann you have been amazing the way you have looked after Len.
All our best wishes go to you and your family at this very sad time.
Rest peacefullly Len.