Veteran Radiographer Who Set Up Hospital During WW2 Has Died Aged 100

Cicely Ball, a distinguished World War II veteran and one of the last surviving members of the Allies’ Burma Campaign, passed away at the age of 100 in early April. Her son, Chris Austen, described her as “a truly extraordinary person,” highlighting her remarkable life and service during a pivotal time in history.

A Life of Service

Born in India, Mrs. Ball was just 17 years old when World War II broke out. Eager to contribute to the war effort, she enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a radiographer, taking X-ray images to aid the military. Later, she transferred to the Army and was promoted to Warrant Officer, a testament to her dedication and skill. Despite her critical role, she rarely spoke of her service, humbly downplaying her contribution, as many of her generation did.

A Poignant Memory

In her later years, Mrs. Ball’s memory faded due to Alzheimer’s, but her son recalled a touching moment when they revisited a notebook she kept during the war. Filled with poems and memories from her service, one poem in particular triggered an emotional response. As Mr. Austen read it aloud, his mother, despite her Alzheimer’s, recited the words by heart and burst into tears—an undeniable glimpse into the deep, unspoken memories of her youth.

Life After the War

After the war, Mrs. Ball settled into a career as a personal assistant and later became an entrepreneur, starting her own secretarial service company in the 1980s using a word processor—at the time, a groundbreaking technology. She lived in Darjeeling for several years, next door to Tenzing Norgay, the legendary mountaineer who, with Sir Edmund Hillary, became the first to summit Mount Everest.

In the 1950s, Mrs. Ball and her son moved to England, and she later settled in Rustington, where she became an active member of her local Catholic church. Her love for classical music, opera, and literature remained strong throughout her life.

A Lasting Legacy

At 100, Mrs. Ball was honored with a personal card from the King and a letter from the Prime Minister thanking her for her service. Her son expressed his deep gratitude, saying, “I feel very privileged to have her as my mother.”

In addition to her son, Cicely Ball is survived by two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom will remember her not only for her military service but also for her kindness, strength, and grace.