William Balls monument at Cromer Old Cemetery

The William Balls monument is a headstone located in Cromer Old Cemetery, dating from around 1881. It is made of carved stone and features slightly narrowed sides with a curved top. The headstone includes an oval relief panel depicting a ship in a heavy sea under lowering clouds. The inscription commemorates William Balls, the husband of Frances Martha Balls, who died at the age of 25 after falling from the lugger, Egmere, during a gale on October 29, 1880. The deceased's granddaughter, Mrs. Joan Witham, has confirmed the faint inscription and noted that family tradition holds that the relief represents the Egmere. This headstone is considered very unusual and fine, as it not only marks the tragic death of a young man at sea but also illustrates the ship from which he fell. It forms a group with the listed Chapel and three other listed headstones in the cemetery.