Captain Albert Ball, VC by Henry Poole and E.A. Rickards

Bronze portrait statue and allegorical figure on granite and Portland stone plinth with stepped base and bronze decoration (1921). Located in the castle grounds, just beyond the main entrance.

Born in Lenton, south-west Nottingham, Albert Ball enlisted with the Sherwood Foresters in 1914, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, serving with enormous skill and courage: in six months over France he shot down more German aircraft than any other allied pilot. By February 1917 Flight Commander Captain Ball had been made Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham, but soon after his return to France on 17 May 1917 his plane crashed - most probably due to pilot error induced by fatigue. Such was his standing in the eyes of his adversaries, however, that they claimed his death at the hands of 'a pilot of equal skill'. Ball's exploits were recognised by the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross: as one of the inscriptions on this memorial states, he was 'England's Airman Hero'.

This fine sculptural group shows Ball in his airman's uniform, but bare-headed as was his custom. Floating up behind Ball is an allegorical figure of Air, pointing skywards, presumably at an invisible enemy. The carved bas reliefs on two sides of the plinth show a profile of an aeroplane of the type flown by Ball, and a similar machine surveying enemy trenches. Bronze details on either side of the base depict peace fronds and the eternal flame.

The unveiling ceremony on 8 September 1921 was undertaken with great pomp and ceremony, commencing with a procession from the station to the Mayor's parlour, before the unveiling at 3.30 by Air Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard - Ball's commanding officer.