Main CPGW Record
Surname: WARD
Forename(s): Frank
Place of Birth: Wennington, Lancashire
Service No: G/51621
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 13th (Service) Battalion
Division: 37th Division
Age: 31
Date of Death: 1917-10-06
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 28 to 30.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: CLAPHAM, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Frank Ward was the son of John and Mary Ward, née Sowry. John was born at Alvechurch, Worcestershire and Mary at Lancaster, Lancashire.
1891 Clapham, Yorkshire Census: Clapham Station - Frank Ward, aged 4 years, born Wennington, Lancashire, son of John and Mary Ward.
1901 Newby, Yorkshire Census: Heather View - Francis Ward, aged 14 years, born Wennington, Lancashire. [Frank was employed by Herbert Tennant, oatcake baker and farmer.]
Frank was married to Ella May Brown in 1909; she was the cousin of Gunner John Slinger (775992) (q.v.). Ella married Percy Smithies in 1922.
1911 Clapham, Yorkshire Census: Frank Ward, aged 24 years, born Wennington, Lancashire, husband of Ella May Ward. [Frank, Ella and their son Cyril were living with Ella's grandmother Mary Ellen Spence.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Frank Ward, GS/51621, R. Fus. K/A 6.10.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Frank Ward, G/51621, 13/R. Fus. 24.11.16 to 6.10.17. Theatres of war in which served: 1(a) [France]. K/A 6.10.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Frank Ward, G/51621, 13/Bn Royl Fus. Date and Place of Death: 6.10.17. Belg. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow Sole Legatee - Ella M. £8 15s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Frank where his date of death is given as 6 October 1917. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Ella May, born 21.9.89. Address: 54, Scaitcliffe Street, Accrington. Children: Cyril, born 26.7.09. Mildred, born 9.2.12. Roy, born 18.8.13. Ernest, born 11.1.16.
Both SDGW and CWGC give Frank's date of death as 6 October 1917. He was probably killed in action on the 4 October during the Battles of Ypres, 1917, 31 July-10 November, at the Battle of Broodseinde, 4 October. The ‘Craven Herald’ In Memoriam (4 October 1918 and 10 October 1919) give his date of death as 4 October.)
The 1921 Census shows that Ella and her children were living at 54, Scaitcliffe Street, Accrington. The 1939 Register shows that Ella and her husband Percy were living at 13, Stevenson Street East, Accrington. Ella died in 1961.
Photograph courtesy of Joan Airey, Accrington.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Frank WARD
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 37th Division
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View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Frank Ward
All images are courtesy of Joan Airey, Accrington
John and Mary Ward
John and Mary Ward, née Bennett, the parents of Private Frank Ward
The family of Frank and Ella May Ward, née Brown
- Milly, to whom the postcards were sent, is sitting at the front
Frank Ward - front row, 4th from left
- taken when the 10th (Reserve) Bn. East Lancashire Regiment were stationed at Wareham, Dorset
Frank Ward - sitting on bench farthest from hut, 2nd from left
- taken when the 10th (Reserve) Bn. East Lancashire Regiment were stationed at Wareham, Dorset.
Postcard from Milly to her father
Postcard from Milly to her father
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Postcard from Private Frank Ward to his daughter Milly
Private Frank Ward’s identity disc
Private Frank Ward’s East Lancashire Regiment and Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) cap badges
Next of kin Memorial Plaque
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
17 August 1917
CLAPHAM – A PATRIOTIC FAMILY
Private E. (Eddie) Ward, Duke of Wellington’s, joined the Colours on Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have now six sons in various units serving their King and Country. The other five are:– Driver Tom Ward, R.A., Army Service Corps, France; Private Frank Ward, Royal Fusiliers, Transport, France; Gunner Harry Ward, R.G.A., France; Private Arthur Ward, Border Regiment (Signallers), Burma; Pte. J. Maurice Ward, R.G.A., England.
These comprise the whole family – a unique record.
19 October 1917
WARD – October 8th, killed in action on the Western Front, Private Frank Ward, 13th Royal Fusiliers, second son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ward, Clapham Station, aged 31 years.
02 November 1917
WARD – October, 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Private Frank Ward, Royal Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ward, Clapham Station Cottages.
02 November 1917
CLAPHAM – ROLL OF HONOUR
Much sympathy is expressed for the widow and young family of Private Frank Ward, of the Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in the early days of last month. Writing under date of October 8th, 2nd Lieut. R. A. Allen states:–
“Dear Mrs. Ward, – I am writing to express my great sympathy with you in the loss of your husband. He died doing his duty and with his face towards the enemy. Nothing I can say will make it easier to bear except that he gave his life for his country.”
Pte. Ward lived at Accrington and was employed as a greengrocer’s assistant prior to joining up in May 1916, leaving for the Front last November. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ward, of Clapham Station Cottages, had six sons in the Army, five of whom are now in the service in various theatres of the war, and to them and their parents great sympathy is extended. Greater poignancy is also added by the fact that the deceased soldier had sent word to his wife notifying her of his expected leave home.
04 October 1918
WARD – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Frank Ward, killed in action October 4th, 1917.
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.’
From Father, Mother and Brothers.
10 October 1919
WARD – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. F. Ward, Royal Fusiliers, killed in action Oct. 4th, 1917.
He died the noblest death that man may die,
Fighting for God and right and liberty,
And such a death is immortality.
From Father and Mother and Brothers.
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Hello, I am researching this part of my family tree again after some time away from it. Looking with fresh eyes and a bit more historical knowledge. Frank Ward was married to my Great Grandaunt. I am researching her brother who survived the war and was in the 158th Howitzer Brigade. I would just be interested to know if you have any more information on Ella May? Many thanks,
Sarah
Hello Sarah,
I have just come across your comment re Ella May, wife of Frank Ward.
Ella May was my Grandmother and I wonder if you mean her brother Ernest Percy Brown is your Great Grandfather?
If this is right I would be happy to help, although looking at the date it is a few years since you posted this request.
Hopefully I may hear back from you.
Joan.