Albert Ball (18961917) was an English fighter pilot during the First World War.

At the time of his death

he was, with 44 victories, the United Kingdom's leading flying ace. Raised in Nottingham, Ball was
commissioned as asecond lieutenant in October 1914. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps(RFC) the
following year, and gained his pilot's wings in January 1916. He then joined No. 13 Squadron RFC in
France, flying reconnaissance missions before being posted in May to No. 11 Squadron, a fighter unit.
From then until his return to England on leave in October, he accrued many aerial victories, earning two
Distinguished Service Orders and the Military Cross. He was the first British ace to become a popular
hero. After a period on home establishment, Ball was posted to No. 56 Squadron, which was sent to the
Western Front in April 1917. He crashed to his death in a field in France on 7 May, sparking a wave of
national mourning and posthumous recognition, which included the award of the Victoria Cross for his
actions during his final tour of duty. His most renowned enemy, Manfred von Richthofen, remarked
upon hearing of Ball's death that he was "by far the best English flying man"