Letters sent by George Alexander Ballard to his parents and siblings during his early naval career. These include his account written while in HMS ACHILLES of the British fleet forcing a passage of the Dardanelles under Admiral Hornby in 1878. His letters from HMS TOURMALINE cover his time as part of the Flying Squadron on its nearly two-year voyage around the world including visits to Australia, China, Fiji, Japan and South Africa. In 1884 while serving in HMS HECLA, Ballard was sent to the Red Sea and his letters from this period cover his participation in the Suakin Expedition during the Mahdist War in Sudan. Ballard was landed as part of a naval brigade and the letters include his account of the Battle of Tamai in which he fought. These are followed by five letters from his brief period in HMS TEMERAIRE, spent mainly in Malta. He then joined HMS WOODLARK with his letters recording his participation in the Third Anglo-Burmese War fought in November 1885. These include his accounts of the British campaign along the Irrawaddy River culminating in the capture of Mandalay. His final letters from WOODLARK in 1886 cover anti-slavery cruises off Arabia and East Africa.