Leonard Yates's Story.
Born in 1884 to James and Elizabeth Ball in Runcorn.
In 1911, the family are found living at 112 Greenway Road and living in the house with his parents are the following, James (33), Jane (32), William (30), Elizabeth (23) and Daisy (22) who married Leonards best friend Thomas Wood.
James Snr was a Pensioner Insurance Agent whilst Leonard was a Draper Assistant.
He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. J. and A. Savage. of Church Street, Runcorn, and then went to Pauldens, Manchester, where he remained for some time, coming back to Runcorn as manager for Mr. O. Hayes, " Central" High Street, and just prior to enlisting was the manager of "Compton House." Church street.
He had a very fair baritone voice, and in his time had been connected with some of Runcorn's best choirs and had sung with them at various eisteddfodau. It might also be mentioned that as Sundays go when in the trenches, he struck up that fine tune " Aberystwyth " to "Jesus lover of my soul," and his officers and pals were so impressed that he was asked to teach them the tune. One of the officers was the Earl of Derby's son. Private Ball was a man of fine physique, standing almost six feet in height. He was also a well known violinist.
"Len" Ball, as he was perhaps better known joined " Pals " (Liverpool) in the latter part of 1915. He soon became an efficient soldier, and before Christmas of 1915 was drafted out to France, and from letters received from him he has practically been in the fighting line since and has gone through many hot engagements. He was always cheerful in his letters home and was latterly confident that the Huns were done for, but would not lie down.
A memorial service was held at St. Paul's Wesleyan Church with which both he and his family had been connected for many years, his father being the oldest layman on the plan of the Runcorn circuits.
In regard to Private Ball and his brother-in-law. Lance Corporal Thomas Wood. Both joined on the same day, were in training together and went out to France the same day, had been in all their fighting together, and both were killed the same day —one by gunshot and the other by shrapnel.
Leonard is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, and also on a marble plaque in Brunswick Chapel that was unveiled in 1920.