Victor (Vic) Ball : Flight Enginner
It is with sadness we learn Vic has passed away, aged 94, on 16th August 2023. My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and former colleagues. Vic was a Flight Engineer.
After 8 years in the RAF, 4 years on the Shackleton, Vic joined Air Charter in 1955 and flew on Avro Tudors and Britannia's, then he subsequently flew VC10's with BUA and BCal as well as a short time flying on Boeing 707's. Finally in 1977 joined the DC10 fleet also with BCal, before finishing with BA in 1989 after the merger.
A photo of Vic in 1974 with a VC10 Engineers panel behind him.
After 8 years in the RAF, 4 years on the Shackleton, Vic joined Air Charter in 1955 and flew on Avro Tudors and Britannia's, then he subsequently flew VC10's with BUA and BCal as well as a short time flying on Boeing 707's. Finally in 1977 joined the DC10 fleet also with BCal, before finishing with BA in 1989 after the merger.
A photo of Vic in 1974 with a VC10 Engineers panel behind him.
Service details
Vic's service was held in Brixham on 4th September 2023
Donations in memory of Vic to the British Heart Foundation can be made here, as well as a gallery of photos
https://victorball.muchloved.com
Vic's service was held in Brixham on 4th September 2023
Donations in memory of Vic to the British Heart Foundation can be made here, as well as a gallery of photos
https://victorball.muchloved.com
Vic Remembered
From Dave Thaxter
I was fortunate to get many emails from Vic over the years, the last being in July 2023. They were always fun, informative and a pleasure to get and reply too. RIP Vic.
From Beryl Mason: I remember Vic, must have been the 707’s. Very sad news. RIP Vic.
From Chris Scott
Very sorry to hear this news. The above photo of Vic is exactly how I remember him from the early '70s, looking over my right shoulder on the lovely VC10. As a 24-year-old rookie on jets, I'd joined the fleet as a co-pilot by chance at the beginning of 1971. Quickly learned enormous respect for our F/Es and their knowledge of the aeroplane...as I did subsequently on the 707 and later, in the late-1980s, the DC-10. They were all down-to-earth characters and mainly inclined to call a spade a ****ing spade. By contrast, Vic was charming! And a damn-good operator, nonetheless. Automation theoretically made them redundant, but I miss those guys.
From Caron Phillips: RIP and my sincere condolences to his family and friends
From Nigel Free: My condolences to the family.
From Riaz Butt: R.I.P Vic, my prayers for him and his family.
From Tony Rider: RIP Vic. Fly High
From Roger Warren: RIP Vic
From Sue Jackson-Page: I remember Vic. A real gentleman. May he R.I.P. Condolences to his family and friends.
From Martyn Gurton
I knew Vic well as I worked in crewing for many years. He was a great guy, my condolences to the family
From Avril Milne
Very sad to hear about the passing of Vic, a great character of our lovely airline.
From Mike Thrower
Vic was such a wonderful guy to fly with….always the gentleman, total professional and great company down route. He leaves with Brentford flying high in the Premier (he was the only Brentford supporter that I knew !) which surely cheered him greatly ! Hope the crew room in the sky has a bar and the football on !! Blue skies and tailwinds Vic….
From Jim Will: RIP and condolences to family.
From Mike Jeffs: RIP Vic, one of the nicest men to fly with.
From Ian Corby
Vic was a gentleman, a very good flight engineer always and a pleasure to fly with! RIP Vic! My sincere condolences to his family!
From Anthea Wilson
Vic was a delightful man, knew him from BUA days, I was 22/23 now 83, he was very interested in Temple Banners and I remember going with him in Bombay/Mumbai to some of the Temples happy memories from a long time ago.
From William (Bill) Newman
I first met Vic when we were both very new to the DC10, 1977 I think. Always smiling, courteous and very helpful crew member who was such good company on and off the aircraft. I would like to send my condolences to his family. I was fortunate to meet his son Jerry some 30 years ago who I trust is well and I send him my very best wishes through this medium. RIP Vic.
From Roger Botting
I remember Vic, he was a great Flight Engineer as well as being a nice guy, he never minded flying on the freighters unlike so many of the flight deck, we went to places that the FE would have to get their hands dirty and he was one that never complained.
From Hasu Jethwa: RIP
From Trevor Fisher: RIP
From Hazel Austin: Such a lovely man. A real gent. RIP Vic
From Christine Swift
Remember Vic with great affection. He was my knight in shining armour when I got mugged in the street in Lima. My handbag was stolen which had my suitcase keys inside - not great when my suitcase was locked in my hotel room with everything for a long trip inside. Vic helped me find a local locksmith and saved the day. A true gentleman. RIP.
From Graham Crewe: Lovely man, RIP Vic. With many heart felt condolences to family and friends.
From Sally Vickers: So sorry to hear this news
From Sally Simmonds: Very sorry to hear. RIP, Vic.
From Jean Carlyle-Lyon: An absolutely perfect gentleman and a lovely guy to fly with.
From Jim Stott: My condolences to Vic's family. I knew Vic of course as a fellow Flight Engineer
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences have been extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Lesley Peacock, Susan Buckley, Sandra Currie, David Williams, Susie Douglas-Smith, Elaine Brown, Peter Durran, Jenny Thomas, Mel Sanders, Denise Stevens, Riaz Butt, Frances Taylor, Brenda Painter, Derek Alstrom, Jacqueline Moremon, Karen Walker, Bob Holmes, Jean Bagnell, Caron Phillips, Pat Cresswell, Nick Washington-Jones, Graham Waters, Lindsay Smith, Tricia Riley, Ray Bridgman, Biddi Geoghegan, Terry de la Haye, Bernice Priestnall, Christine Jegu, Jennifer Grail,
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From Dave Thaxter
I was fortunate to get many emails from Vic over the years, the last being in July 2023. They were always fun, informative and a pleasure to get and reply too. RIP Vic.
From Beryl Mason: I remember Vic, must have been the 707’s. Very sad news. RIP Vic.
From Chris Scott
Very sorry to hear this news. The above photo of Vic is exactly how I remember him from the early '70s, looking over my right shoulder on the lovely VC10. As a 24-year-old rookie on jets, I'd joined the fleet as a co-pilot by chance at the beginning of 1971. Quickly learned enormous respect for our F/Es and their knowledge of the aeroplane...as I did subsequently on the 707 and later, in the late-1980s, the DC-10. They were all down-to-earth characters and mainly inclined to call a spade a ****ing spade. By contrast, Vic was charming! And a damn-good operator, nonetheless. Automation theoretically made them redundant, but I miss those guys.
From Caron Phillips: RIP and my sincere condolences to his family and friends
From Nigel Free: My condolences to the family.
From Riaz Butt: R.I.P Vic, my prayers for him and his family.
From Tony Rider: RIP Vic. Fly High
From Roger Warren: RIP Vic
From Sue Jackson-Page: I remember Vic. A real gentleman. May he R.I.P. Condolences to his family and friends.
From Martyn Gurton
I knew Vic well as I worked in crewing for many years. He was a great guy, my condolences to the family
From Avril Milne
Very sad to hear about the passing of Vic, a great character of our lovely airline.
From Mike Thrower
Vic was such a wonderful guy to fly with….always the gentleman, total professional and great company down route. He leaves with Brentford flying high in the Premier (he was the only Brentford supporter that I knew !) which surely cheered him greatly ! Hope the crew room in the sky has a bar and the football on !! Blue skies and tailwinds Vic….
From Jim Will: RIP and condolences to family.
From Mike Jeffs: RIP Vic, one of the nicest men to fly with.
From Ian Corby
Vic was a gentleman, a very good flight engineer always and a pleasure to fly with! RIP Vic! My sincere condolences to his family!
From Anthea Wilson
Vic was a delightful man, knew him from BUA days, I was 22/23 now 83, he was very interested in Temple Banners and I remember going with him in Bombay/Mumbai to some of the Temples happy memories from a long time ago.
From William (Bill) Newman
I first met Vic when we were both very new to the DC10, 1977 I think. Always smiling, courteous and very helpful crew member who was such good company on and off the aircraft. I would like to send my condolences to his family. I was fortunate to meet his son Jerry some 30 years ago who I trust is well and I send him my very best wishes through this medium. RIP Vic.
From Roger Botting
I remember Vic, he was a great Flight Engineer as well as being a nice guy, he never minded flying on the freighters unlike so many of the flight deck, we went to places that the FE would have to get their hands dirty and he was one that never complained.
From Hasu Jethwa: RIP
From Trevor Fisher: RIP
From Hazel Austin: Such a lovely man. A real gent. RIP Vic
From Christine Swift
Remember Vic with great affection. He was my knight in shining armour when I got mugged in the street in Lima. My handbag was stolen which had my suitcase keys inside - not great when my suitcase was locked in my hotel room with everything for a long trip inside. Vic helped me find a local locksmith and saved the day. A true gentleman. RIP.
From Graham Crewe: Lovely man, RIP Vic. With many heart felt condolences to family and friends.
From Sally Vickers: So sorry to hear this news
From Sally Simmonds: Very sorry to hear. RIP, Vic.
From Jean Carlyle-Lyon: An absolutely perfect gentleman and a lovely guy to fly with.
From Jim Stott: My condolences to Vic's family. I knew Vic of course as a fellow Flight Engineer
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences have been extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Lesley Peacock, Susan Buckley, Sandra Currie, David Williams, Susie Douglas-Smith, Elaine Brown, Peter Durran, Jenny Thomas, Mel Sanders, Denise Stevens, Riaz Butt, Frances Taylor, Brenda Painter, Derek Alstrom, Jacqueline Moremon, Karen Walker, Bob Holmes, Jean Bagnell, Caron Phillips, Pat Cresswell, Nick Washington-Jones, Graham Waters, Lindsay Smith, Tricia Riley, Ray Bridgman, Biddi Geoghegan, Terry de la Haye, Bernice Priestnall, Christine Jegu, Jennifer Grail,
Close this page
.
