Nelson & His World

Discussion on the life and times of Admiral Lord Nelson
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 Post subject: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:23 am 
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Wednesday 25th October 1809, The Death of Sir Alexander John Ball (1756-1809)


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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:00 am 
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Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the reminder.

What is the situation now, with regard to his tomb and the monument?

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Kester.


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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:10 am 
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Kester, Slow progress I'm afraid to report and the same with Abercrombie's as well.

Stephen :(


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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:12 am 
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Stephen,

Sorry, to hear that – but I guessed as much. :cry:

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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:58 am 
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Have just got back from a gathering here in West Wales and raised 16 glasses to Sir AJB.
Thanks for raising the subject Stephen.
I have just completed over 750 pages on him on the eve of the anniversary but there are more to come before I take the tome to Malta in March.

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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 2:20 pm 
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At around 8pm on the evening of the 27th October 1809, the body of Sir Alexander John Ball was placed in a lead coffin and enclosed in a wooden casket.
The Inscription on the Coffin read,

Alexander John Ball/of the United Kingdom of Great Britain/and Ireland Baronet/K.S.F./Rear Admiral of the White/His Britannic Majesty's Civil Commissioner/for the Affairs of the Island of Malta/and its Dependencies/Died the 25th October AD 1809/aged 52.

Ball lay in state in a state room of the Governor's Palace, Valletta (Today the President of Malta's) with two sentry's of the Malta Militia guarding the entrance.

The coffin was covered with black velvet, fixed with gilt nails, adorned with eight naval crowns and surrounded by eight banners, on which were represented the coat of arms and the Orders of the late Sir Alexander John Ball. Also on the coffin's lid were engraved Ball's coats of arms, his Orders and the above inscription.

At the head of the coffin stood two sailors of the Royal Navy, one holding the Union Jack and the other the White Ensign both at half mast. Fifty two candles surrounded the coffin guarded by Maltese Militia soldiers with arms reversed.

At the foot of the coffin was a stool shaped like a bier, also covered in black velvet and surrounded by candles and soldiers, on which were arranged Ball's hat, the insignia of the Order of St Ferdinand given to him by the King of the Two Sicilies, the Medal of the Cresent awarded to him by the Turkish Sultan, the Nile Medal of Honour, the Medal of the Maltese Representatives, his naval sword and the gold sword presented by the Maltese, both swords were unsheathed and crossed.


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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:41 am 
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As Stephen has submitted the description of Alexander Ball’s laying in state on Friday the 27th of October 1809; I thought the order of procession for Alexander’s funeral and interment would be fitting. This took place on the following Tuesday the 31st October at 11 a.m.
Not quite on the scale of Nelson’s funeral but a grand affair nonetheless, finished off with 3 rounds of 11 cannon. :wink:
Attachment:
AJB funeral procession.jpg
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Attachment:
AJB funeral procession part.jpg
AJB funeral procession part.jpg [ 241.39 KiB | Viewed 21211 times ]

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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:23 am 
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Very interesting.


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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:24 am 
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Another year, another anniversary – the 203rd of Sir Alexander Ball's death.
New members of N&HW should go to the beginning of the thread for an insight to this anniversary and earlier members may like to refresh their ever-expanding memory bank. :wink:

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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 8:08 pm 
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Thank you for the reminder, Ed.

October 25th also marks the anniversary of the battle fought by another 'band of brothers' at Agincourt in 1415.

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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 6:18 pm 
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Ed,

Yes, as Anna said, it's good to be reminded. Is the day marked in any way on Malta?

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Kester.


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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 6:03 pm 
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Very interesting, thanks for bumping this up :)

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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 6:40 pm 
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Devenish wrote:
Ed,

Is the day marked in any way on Malta?

Kester,
None that I am aware of. Maybe Stephen Evans could enlighten us.
On the 200th anniversary in 2009 the British High Commissioner gave a speech at Ball’s memorial and the re-enactment group comprising marines from HMS Alexander performed a march past and fired a three-volley salute. The pictures I shall entitle ‘Stand Easy’ & ‘Lean Easier’. :lol:
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Maltese Re-enactors 2.jpg
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Attachment:
Maltese Re-enactors 1.jpg
Maltese Re-enactors 1.jpg [ 193.52 KiB | Viewed 20907 times ]

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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 6:53 pm 
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Ed,

Thanks, and for the pictures.

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Kester.


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 Post subject: Re: Sir Alexander John Ball
PostPosted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:08 am 
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I thought I would mention again the anniversary -- 204th -- of Alexander Ball’s death, at the same time letting you know that I am still very much alive and regularly visit the forum. :D

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