Statue of Captain Albert Ball

Albert Ball was born in Nottingham in 1896. His father, also Albert Ball, was a businessman and local politician. In September 1914, soon after the outbreak of the First World War, Ball enlisted in the 2/7th (Robin Hood) Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) and he was quickly commissioned as a second lieutenant. After some private flying tuition, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and qualified as a pilot in January 1916. He flew reconnaissance missions in France from February 1916 with No. 13 Squadron. He moved to a fighter unit, No. 11 Squadron, in May 1916 and soon recorded his first aerial victory. Within 12 months, he achieved 44 confirmed…

The bronze memorial statue by Henry Poole stands in the grounds of the Grade I listed Nottingham Castle, amidst a number of other Grade I listed buildings and structures. Also nearby are a Grade II listed war memorial sundial, and a Grade II listed war memorial obelisk. The memorial was commissioned by Nottingham City Council and funded by public subscription. It includes a life-size statue of Ball, depicted in a standing position, wearing in his flying uniform, with his hands on his belt, looking up towards the sky. Behind him stands a robed woman standing on clouds: this allegorical figure representing "Air" is resting one hand on Ball's shoulder and pointing upwards with the other hand.…