Pacte de Bagdad
Educated at Campbell College in Belfast, Ball joined the Royal Air Force in 1937. He served in the Second World War flying Spitfires and commanding No. 682 Squadron, No. 542 Squadron, No. 540 Squadron and finally No. 13 Squadron, he was mentioned in despatches twice. He was appointed Chief of Staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in 1968, Director General of RAF Organisation in 1971 and UK Military Representative to the Central Treaty Organization at Ankara in 1975. He went on to be Deputy Commander of Strike Command in 1977 before retiring in 1979.