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Frank WARD

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; she died in 1961.

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.)

Photograph courtesy of Joan Airey, Accrington.

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.

Private Frank WARD

Private Frank WARD

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 37th Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 37th Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WARD

Forename(s): Frank

Born: Wennington, Lancs

Residence: Accrington

Enlisted: Accrington

Number: 51621

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Battalion: 13th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 06/10/17

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes: Formerly 22337, 10th East Lancs Regt.

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WARD

Forename(s): Frank

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: G/51621

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Fusiliers

Unit: 13th Bn.

Age: 31

Awards:

Died Date: 06/10/1917

Additional Information: Husband of Ella May Smithies (formerly Ward), of 31, Stevenson St. East, Accrington.

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View Additional Image(s)

Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

Frank Ward

Frank Ward

All images are courtesy of Joan Airey, Accrington

John and Mary Ward

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

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

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

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 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

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 identity disc

Private Frank Ward’s East Lancashire Regiment and Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) cap badges

Private Frank Ward’s East Lancashire Regiment and Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) cap badges

Next of kin Memorial Plaque

Next of kin Memorial Plaque

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

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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    2 Responses to Frank WARD

    1. Sarah June 4, 2021 at 9:55 am #

      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

      • Joan Airey October 30, 2023 at 1:55 pm #

        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.

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