LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI
Private Frank (Francis Joseph) Ward
22nd Bn Royal Fusiliers
Town Memorial P9.R4.C1.
Taken, Not Given
PteFrancis J Ward
22nd Royal Fusiliers
Vimy
May 23 1916 [sic - some sources say 24th]
22nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers, being a Private, regimental number 1592. However the date of his death is given as 24 May 1916, and the War Diary would tend confirm that date. [CWGC says 24 May]
Though born in Leatherhead [but see below] he enlisted at Horsham.
What happened on the 24th, as related by the War Diary of the 22nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers is as follows:
Orders for an attack at 1.30 a.m. were
cancelled and orders were issued at 8.25. However, a battalion of the
Berkshires on the Fusiliers' flank was unable to advance because of the
barrage, and the attack was cancelled by the C.O. of the Fusiliers,
Major Rostons.
Unfortunately 'B' Company were not recalled in time and lost three Officers wounded, seven ORs killed and a further 78 wounded - practically the entire company.
Next day at dawn, and the remainder of the Berkshires were relieved by the 1st Bn. K.R.R.C., who in turn relieved the Fusiliers. The battalion then marched back to billets in Villers-au-Bois.
Unfortunately 'B' Company were not recalled in time and lost three Officers wounded, seven ORs killed and a further 78 wounded - practically the entire company.
Next day at dawn, and the remainder of the Berkshires were relieved by the 1st Bn. K.R.R.C., who in turn relieved the Fusiliers. The battalion then marched back to billets in Villers-au-Bois.
Notes on sources
1. Soldiers Who Died in the Great War (Royal Fusiliers): Royal Fusiliers Museum, H.M. Tower of London.
2. File W095–1372 War Diary of 22nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers: Public Record Office, Richmond, Kew
Further research
PrivateWARD, FRANCIS JOSEPH
Service Number 1592
Died 24/05/1916
22nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers
Commemorated at ARRAS MEMORIAL
Location: Pas de Calais, France
Cemetery/memorial reference: Bay 3.
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 10 June 1916
A DOUBLE LEATHERHEAD BEREAVEMENT.
We regret to hear that the death of Pte. F. J. Ward. Royal Fusilier, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, of 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead, has been confirmed, also that of their adopted son, Pte. G. P. English.
Saturday 10 June 1916
A DOUBLE LEATHERHEAD BEREAVEMENT.
We regret to hear that the death of Pte. F. J. Ward. Royal Fusilier, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, of 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead, has been confirmed, also that of their adopted son, Pte. G. P. English.
The following letter has been received by Mrs. Ward from Lieut. G. D. A. Black, O.C. “C" Company, R.F. :—
"I very much regret to say that Pte.
George English has fallen in action. I understand from
friends in his platoon that you were his adopted mother. I am afraid
that this will come as very bad news to you, especially it is so soon
after your son Frank had been killed in action on the 23rd inst.
English was killed by a German trench
mortar which fell into communicating trench up which he was walking. He
was killed on the afternoon of the 30th, and we buried him a few hours
later just behind the reserve trenches.
We shall all miss English very much. He
had been with us long while, and possessed those extra qualities which
made him a very useful man on the machine gun. He was always cheerful,
and had an ever ready smile.
Your son, Frank Ward, was not in
my company, but as his company has suffered rather heavily they may not
have been able to give you any details his death, owing to the number of
people who have had to be informed, and owing to the fact that everybody
has had a very hard time, and are still in the trenches.
I have made inquiries of 'B' Company, and
learn that your son Frank died in action on the night of May 23rd, when
his company very gallantly attacked and took a German trench. Owing to
the extremely heavy fire I believe that they were unable to bring back
his body until the following day, when he was brought back and buried by
the 1st King's Royal Rifles, who relieved us, so it may be some
consolation for you to know that Ward and English are buried quite close
to one another, and fell together in action within a week. We can fully
realise how very hard it must be to lose two so dear to you within such
a short time. I know it will only be 'by the sure and certain hope of
the Resurrection' that you will be comforted. Besides the chaplain, the
Colonel, the Adjutant, and Captain were present at English’s burial.”
"Pte. Ward was passed medically unfit, but
after having undergone two severe operations he joined with his brother,
Pte. G. P. Ward [sic - English]. After having four months in hospital
again, he was able to rejoin his regiment and left for France on
Christmas morning. In February last he was taken with rheumatic fever
and was in hospital for some weeks, so that it was not his strength but
his wonderful spirit which enabled him to stand to the last.
He laid down his life willingly for his
country, and in thinking both he and English we can but think of
Longfellow’s words:
'For greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’”
The deepest sympathy is felt all who know Mr. and Mrs. Ward and family in this heavy bereavement.
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 30 December 1916
ROLL OF HONOUR. BRAVE SURREY MEN FALLEN IN THE WAR.
LEATHERHEAD AND DISTRICT
JUNE.
WARD, Pte. F. J., Royal Fusiliers, killed in action. May 23rd, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead.
ENGLISH, Pte. G. P., Royal Fusiliers, killed in action May 30th, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead.
Lives of all great men remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
'For greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’”
The deepest sympathy is felt all who know Mr. and Mrs. Ward and family in this heavy bereavement.
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 30 December 1916
ROLL OF HONOUR. BRAVE SURREY MEN FALLEN IN THE WAR.
LEATHERHEAD AND DISTRICT
JUNE.
WARD, Pte. F. J., Royal Fusiliers, killed in action. May 23rd, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead.
ENGLISH, Pte. G. P., Royal Fusiliers, killed in action May 30th, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead.
It was yet another burden for his parents to bear.
His life
He was born in 1892 at Westhumble, Mickleham, Surrey.His father was Francis William Ward, born about 1861, Marylebone, Middlesex. His death was registered in June 1941 (Surrey Mid East).
Francis William Ward was a sculptor and an artist and latterly also a Laundry Keeper. His father was Joseph Ward, a Coppersmith, died before 1881 - possibly the source of his grandson Francis's middle name). His mother was Martha Maria Hixson from Swanage (1835-1909).
Francis Joseph Ward's mother was Ellen Grafham from Westhumble, Mickleham, Surrey. She was born in December 1856 at Mickleham to George Grafham (1822-1891), a Gardener and Eliza née Henton (1827-1902).
They married on 2 April 1888 at St Michael's, Mickleham.
His siblings were Ellen Martha b 1889, Grace Mary b 1890 and George Perry b 1894. The family also included his adopted brother George English but he does not appear to be in the 1901 or 1911 Census records for the family.
In Francis's time the family lived in Clinton Road, Leatherhead. He was not present in the 1911 Census, when the family was at 8 Clinton Road, Leatherhead:
Francis William Ward 50 Painter (Artist)
& Laundry Keeper
Ellen Ward 54 assisting in business
Ellen M Ward 22 assisting in business
Grace M Ward 20 assisting in business
Job Dann 57 Visitor, Strict Baptist Minister
Ellen Ward 54 assisting in business
Ellen M Ward 22 assisting in business
Grace M Ward 20 assisting in business
Job Dann 57 Visitor, Strict Baptist Minister
After the war
His parents Francis William and Ellen Ward can be followed via the Electoral Registers:1919 8 Clinton Road, Leatherhead
1924 1925 23 Clinton Road
1931 23 Clinton Road with daughter Ellen Martha, also Mary Preston
1934 23 Clinton Road with daughter Ellen Martha, also George and Nora Hodgkins
1935 35 Poplar Avenue, Leatherhead, with daughter Grace Mary (now Sayers), also Marion Gregory
Ellen Ward died in 1936
1937 1938 1939 22 Poplar Road, Leatherhead: Francis Ward and Grace
Francis William Ward died in 1941.
1924 1925 23 Clinton Road
1931 23 Clinton Road with daughter Ellen Martha, also Mary Preston
1934 23 Clinton Road with daughter Ellen Martha, also George and Nora Hodgkins
1935 35 Poplar Avenue, Leatherhead, with daughter Grace Mary (now Sayers), also Marion Gregory
Ellen Ward died in 1936
1937 1938 1939 22 Poplar Road, Leatherhead: Francis Ward and Grace
Francis William Ward died in 1941.
Frank Ward is also remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
Ladies War Shrine, Leatherhead Parish Church
Church Lads Brigade Memorial Tryptich, All Saints Leatherhead
the website editor would like to add
further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, his headstone, and any recollections of him
last updated 21 Jul 20