Lieutenant John William Ward

Family details:
Son of William Robinson Ward, of 82, Croppers Hill, St. Helens, Lancs, England, and the late Jemima Ward. Served in the South African campaign.

Census details:
1881 - 3 years old John W is living at 84 Croppers Hill, St Helens with parents William R. (34), Jemima (35) and two siblings: Frank E. (5), Percy (1). Also at the address are boarder Elizabeth Smallshaw (38) and servant Emma Dadge (28). 1891 - 13 years old 'Clerk in Chemical Wks' John William is living at 84 Croppers Hill, St Helens with widowed mother Jemima (45) and five siblings: Frank E (15), Percy (11), May (9), Henry (8) [cas=1387]Frederick Ward[/cas] (5). Also at the address is domestic servant Kate E Rushton (13). 1901 - Serving in South Africa by this time. 1911 - Not found.

Notes:
[note=25]Two Ward Brothers who died in the Great War[/note] Shown on cenotaph as 'Ward St. J. W.' and should probably read 'Ward Lt. J. W.'

September 1916, La Boiselle 26th Bn., Canadian Infantry The Battalion was tasked with the capture of the village of COURCELETTE..... 15th September The Battalion went into the attack at 5 p.m. formed up into two waves which advanced in lines and sections at approximately 40 yards interval. The second wave was approximately 150 yards in rear of the first wave. 'A' and 'D' Companies forming the right and left respectively of the first wave, and 'C' and 'B' companies similarly making up the second wave. 'A' Company was commanded by Lt J T WARD who had the following officers with him ; Captain F R FAIRWEATHER, Lt R B CLARKE and Lt J C STUART........ On reaching SUGAR TRENCH, the companies changed their formation into open formation and pushed off from there at 6 p.m. The Bn maintained this formation, following up in rear of 22nd and 25th Bns and so mopped up the village. On completion of this mopping up process, 'A' and 'C' Companies took up positions in trenches on the right of the village, 'D' and 'B' companies took uoo positions south of the village, and the village. During the advance, Capt C E WILLIAMS was struck and instantly killed by a shell. Major P D MCAVITY was wounded almost as soon as the advance began. Lt R B CLARKE was also wounded on this date as was Coy Sgt Maj J W COREY. On the morning of the 16th, 'B' Coy was moved to a line of shell holes in support to the right flank. This was done on account of the Germans having been reported massing opposite that flank. The most intense shelling was suffered by the battalion throughout the entire day. During the night of 16th-17th, on instructions from the Brigade, the battalion placed three companies on the right village along the 'Sunken Road' from the Cemetery to the Baupaume Road, in which position the Battalion remained until relieved on the morning of the 18th. This day, we lost Lt J W WARD, Capt F R FAIRWEATHER, Lt J D BROCK, all of whom were killed by rifle bullets. ------------------------------------- From the Cowley Schools Rolls Of Honour:- Served in the South African War with the Active Service Section of the St.Helens Engineers (Volunteers), 1901/02. In the present war joined the 26th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Served on the Ypres salient during the winter of 1915/16. Afterwards took part in the advance on the Somme, 1916. Was killed in Action on the 17th September 1916 at Courcellette, France. [center][pic2]imgs/WW1_people/WardJ_CEF_RE.jpg[/pic2][/center][pic]imgs/WW1_misc/Ward_JW_Canadian.jpg[/pic][caption]The St Helens Newspaper & Advertiser - Courtesy Ste M[/caption] [pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/Lieutenant_JW_Ward.png[/pic][caption]An extract from the Liverpool Echo (Photo courtesy of Stephen Nulty)[/caption] [pic]imgs/sppics/John_William_Ward.jpg[/pic][caption]The Plaque in St.Thomas Church, Eccleston to the Ward Brothers. (Photo courtesy Of Jeff Keenan)[/caption] [pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/Lt_Ward_JW_New_Brunswick_Reg.jpg[/pic][caption]The panel on the Vimy Memorial bearing the inscription for Lieutenant John William Ward (Photo courtesy of Ste M.)[/caption]