John Ward

Pte. John (Jack) Ward served with the 15th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. John was killed in action on 25th August 1917 and is buried in Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile (Spec. Mem. A.5).

John is commemorated on a CWGC Special Memorial. Inscription: 'Their glory shall not be blotted out' Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile: The first burials in Unicorn Cemetery were of men of the 18th Division who were killed in fighting at the end of September 1918. The rest of the cemetery was formed after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields, isolated sites and from small cemeteries of 1917 and 1918. The cemetery contains special memorials to ten casualties known or believed to be buried among them and there are also special memorials to eight casualties buried in Lempire British Cemetery whose graves could not be found on concentration. (See CWGC website for further details of the history and location of the cemetery.) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 3 September 1917: Ellis. In loving memory of my dear husband, Cpl Samuel, Sherwood Foresters, who was killed Sept. 3Rd, 1916. Also my brother, Lance-Corpl Jack Ward, killed August 25th 1917. An unknown grave is the bitterest blow, none but aching hearts can know. Sadly missed. Wife [Sarah Ann] baby (Tommy) [Thomas William].’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: Cpl. Samuel Ellis, 17th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire (Welbeck Rangers), killed in action 3 September 1916 (Thiepval Memorial). Also Samuel's brother, Stoker 1st Class John Thomas Ellis, HMS Cressy, killed in action 22 September 1914. (See records on this ROH) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 26 August 1918: ‘Ward. In loving memory of my dear husband, Lce-Cpl Jack Ward, killed in action August 25th, 1917, aged 23 years. What would I give, dear, to clasp your hand, and bid you a welcome home. Sadly missed by loving wife and child.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 26 August 1918: ‘Ward. Killed in action August 25th, 1917, Corpl. John Ward, Sherwoods. Sadly missed by his loving mother, brother (serving with the colours).’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 26 August 1918: ‘Ward. Killed in action August 25th, 1917. Corpl. John Ward, Sherwoods. Ever in our thoughts. From his sorrowing sister Emma, brother-in-law Harry (in France) and children.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)