The first hero of Nottingham was Robin Hood of Sherwood forest fame. The second hero was Albert Ball, World War I flying ace. At age 18, Albert Ball joined the 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). At Hendon, a London suburb, he paid for his own private flying lessons. After this he was sent to the Royal Flying Corps' Central Flying School. He received his wings in early 1916 and was sent to France.
Albert Ball was a lone wolf in the sky and on the ground. Off duty he would tend his garden and practice his violin. He has been quoted as saying, "Won't it be nice when all this beastly killing is over, and we can enjoy ourselves and not hurt anyone? I hate this game." Still, Albert Ball had 44 victories at the time of his death and was the Allied Forces leading ace. Only the Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen) had more victories at that time.
There is uncertainty surrounding the death of Albert Ball. He and 11 other British aircraft encountered German aircraft on the evening of May 7, 1917. The visibility was poor due to gathering darkness and rainy weather. Both Ball and the Red Baron's younger brother, Lothar von Richthofen crashed in Germany. German propagandists claim that von Richthofen shot Ball down. Some believe that poor visibility caused Ball to become disoriented and crash. Another version is that German gunners in a church clock tower shot down Ball as he flew past to check the time. There are also claims that Lothar von Richthofen was not in that particular battle because he was on sick leave.
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