W H Ward
Photos (c) Dean Williams
William Henry Ward was born in Brewood in 1895. He was the son of George Ward, a farm waggoner, and his wife Alice. By 1901 the family had moved to Drayton Bassett. After the death of Alice in 1909 they moved back to Brewood to live with George's widowed mother, Emma at Dawscroft Cottages. In 1911 the 13 year-old William's occupation is given as 'learn baking' - presumably apprentice to a baker.
William enlisted in the Spring of 1915, joining the Royal Field Artillery. He served throughout the war with 102nd Brigade, with whom he would have seen action during the 1916 Somme campaign and the 1917 Battles of Ypres. William survived the war but died of pneumonia in France on 10th March, 1919. He is buried in Cambrai East Military Cemetery.
Driver William Henry Ward, 77610, was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 1915 Star.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.