Interesting piece from the public broadcaster on a dual flag hero, and much more.

Harold Ball had a short but impressive football career before he died in WWII

7 hours ago, pitmaster said:

Interesting piece from the public broadcaster on a dual flag hero, and much more.

Harold Ball had a short but impressive football career before he died in WWII

Merbein has proved to be a great recruiting ground for the club. In addition to Harold Ball and Hassa Mann, the late Colin Sylvia also came from Merbein.

Good piece and it's always terrific to see one of our war hero-Demon champions receive due recognition.

The only quibble I have with this piece is that it seems to tip toe around the circumstances of his death. Other accounts have suggested Harold and his mates were in effect executed - or rather murdered by being bayoneted - on a beach after being confronted by Japanese soldiers. 

Actually, a second quibble is that the photo with Wilfred Smallhorn is not commented on, but at a guess I reckon Wilfred is actually "Chicken" Smallhorn, a rover who played 150 games with Fitzroy and who was a media commentator when football was first on telly in the 50s and early 60s. Chicken's record would have been worth a mention. He'd also have roved against my avatar!

 

Great article about one of our legends. 

Great story, and such finds/posts are one of the pleasures (usually!) that is @Demonland.

It is also a story, however, that makes one say, '[censored] war'.

And those pictures; 21, going on 31...

3 hours ago, Percy Beames said:

Good piece and it's always terrific to see one of our war hero-Demon champions receive due recognition.

The only quibble I have with this piece is that it seems to tip toe around the circumstances of his death. Other accounts have suggested Harold and his mates were in effect executed - or rather murdered by being bayoneted - on a beach after being confronted by Japanese soldiers. 

Actually, a second quibble is that the photo with Wilfred Smallhorn is not commented on, but at a guess I reckon Wilfred is actually "Chicken" Smallhorn, a rover who played 150 games with Fitzroy and who was a media commentator when football was first on telly in the 50s and early 60s. Chicken's record would have been worth a mention. He'd also have roved against my avatar!

 

Also won a Brownlow Medal, the same Chicken Smallhorn.

3 hours ago, Percy Beames said:

Good piece and it's always terrific to see one of our war hero-Demon champions receive due recognition.

The only quibble I have with this piece is that it seems to tip toe around the circumstances of his death. Other accounts have suggested Harold and his mates were in effect executed - or rather murdered by being bayoneted - on a beach after being confronted by Japanese soldiers. 

Actually, a second quibble is that the photo with Wilfred Smallhorn is not commented on, but at a guess I reckon Wilfred is actually "Chicken" Smallhorn, a rover who played 150 games with Fitzroy and who was a media commentator when football was first on telly in the 50s and early 60s. Chicken's record would have been worth a mention. He'd also have roved against my avatar!

 

Unmistakably 'Chicken', for those whose black-and-whites (TVs!) were tuned to the original Friday night footy!