Coroner's Inquest: Lieutenant Arthur Cyril Ball Blamed

The inquest into the death of a local man in a road traffic accident was held at the General Hospital on 29th June 1916. Lieutenant Arthur Cyril Ball, North Midland Cyclists Corps, was deemed to have been to responsible.

He was the brother of the ace pilot, Albert Ball, and was to follow his brother into the Royal Flying Corps, and was taken prisoner whilst serving with 60 Squadron on 5th February 1918. [1]

“NOTTINGHAM MOTOR FATALITY.

“LIEUT. BALL REPRIMANDED AT THE INQUEST.

“The circumstances of the fatal motor collision which occurred at the corner of Derby-road on Tuesday night [27th June 1916] were inquired into by a Coroner's jury at the General Hospital this morning [29th June 1916]. It will be remembered that a commercial traveller named Luke Evans Hill, employed by Messrs. Thos Danks and Co., was riding in his motor car, and came into collision with Lieut. A. C. Ball, a son of Ald. Albert Ball, who was on a motor cycle, Mr Hill being fatally injured.

“Mr. A. Barlow represented the deceased's relatives, Mr. E. Huntsman appeared for Mr. Ball, and Mr. F. Berryman the deceased's employers. Supt. Taylor attended on behalf of the police authorities.

“The first witness called was Florence Mary Hill, 185, Rolleston-drive, the deceased's wife. She said her husband was 33. He was accustomed to a motor which he used for business purposes. He was a skilled and careful driver, never ran risks, and had been teased for being so careful. He knew this corner and always went round it carefully.

"VERY SUDDEN."

“John Arnold Hall, a traveller, of Cycle-road, Lenton, who witnessed the fatality, said it occurred at 8.30, just past the Wollaton Lodge. He saw Mr. Ball coming along on a motor cycle on the left side of the road and at a moderate pace. There were no other vehicles about until a motor came along from the direction of Nottingham. Neither driver seemed to know what to do. The front wheel of the motor cycle hit the side of the car. It was very sudden. Mr. Ball seemed to be thrown right over the car. It was an open, two seated car. The car proceeded a few yards, Mr. Hill remaining in his seat but leaning sideways. He was insensible and bleeding from the head. Another car came up and took him to the hospital. Mr, Ball seemed quite dazed.

“Witness, in answer to the Coroner, said he did not hear either rider give any warning. Both were going slowly round the corner, which was a very dangerous one.

“Dr. Crooks, house surgeon at the hospital, said that deceased had a fracture of the lower jaw and a lacerated wound in the right ear, as well as a fracture at the base the skull. He died at 1.40 the following morning without recovering consciousness.

“Miss Clara Richards, 109, Lenton-boulevard, who along with Mr. Hall was near the scene of the collision, corroborated his evidence.

“John Hingley, 63, Teversall-avenue, said he saw the motor cycle approaching at a speed of between 14 and 15 miles an hour. Having regard to the corner he thought the cycle was going too fast. Then he noticed a motor-car approaching slowly from the opposite direction. The cycle struck the car, and Mr. Ball was thrown over the cycle and over the side of the car. Mr. Hill was knocked sideways. Had Mr. Ball kept to the left side instead of being in the middle of the road he would have got past easily. The wind screen of the car was smashed, the glass being thrown all over witness.

“In answer to Mr. Barlow, the witness said that Mr. Ball did not slacken his pace until he was nearly on top of the car. Had he approached the corner more slowly the accident would not have occurred.

“LIEUT. BALL'S VERSION.

“Lieut. Ball, giving his account of the occurrence, said he was going from Nottingham to Stapleford. Just as he was getting to the end of the Beeston-lane he slowed down to 10 or 12 miles an hour. The meter was under his eye, and he blew his horn. His impression was that the motor car was on the wrong side, and to avoid him witness shot over on to the right, caught the side of the car and was thrown over. He had ridden many hundreds of miles on the same machine and never had an accident. Had deceased stopped on his side of the road the accident would not have happened. He could not say whether, when he was thrown over the car, he struck Mr. Hill.

“The jury, after prolonged consideration, found:

“(1) That deceased's death was caused through Lieutenant Ball's misjudgment.

“(2) That Lieutenant Ball was travelling at too rapid a speed considering the dangerous corner.

“(3) That he was not culpably negligent but should be reprimanded for not riding more slowly.

“The Coroner added that there was a great deal too much rapid driving by motor cyclists, particularly by men in khaki. He hoped this would be a warning to him.

“Ald. Ball expressed his deep sympathy with the relatives. As a motorist he knew the dangerous nature this corner, and would do all he could to get it remedied as soon as possible.

“Mr. Berryman also expressed the sympathy the deceased's employers, who regarded him as a valued and trusted servant.” [2]

[1] He took off on an offensive patrol at 10.40 a.m. and was forced to land behind German lines after an aerial combat over Houlthurst at 11.30 a.m. The victor was possibly Offst. O. Esswein of Jasta 26.

The history of 60 Squadron records this as follows:

“A. C. Ball, brother of Albert Ball, was missing on the 5th of this month. He was a very promising young officer, but it was too early in his flying career to say that he would have rivalled his brother. Happily he is alive and was repatriated at the end of the war.”

Scott, A. J. L.,”Sixty Squadron R.A.F. A History of the Squadron From its Formation,” pp. 88-89, William Heinemann (London).

[2] 'Nottingham Evening Post', 29th June 1916.