John William Ward
- Family History
- Military History
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John William was the son of John and Rebecca Ward (nėe Hunt). Both his parents were born in Hathern Leicestershire, John in about 1853 and Rebecca in about 1851. They were married in 1875 (O/N/D Loughborough Leics) and had six children of whom five survived infancy: Emma b. 1876 (A/M/J Nottingham), Elizabeth b. 13 December 1877 (1878 J/F/M Nottingham), John William b. 1888 (A/M/J Nottingham), Ethel birth registered 1882 (J/F/M Nottingham), Eveline (Evelyn) Annie b. 30 January 1886 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Horace birth registered 1889 (J/F/M Nottingham). All the children were born in Nottingham and with the exception of Emma were baptised at Nottingham St Luke on 7 October 1891; the family was then living at Great Alfred Street. In 1891 John (38), a hosiery mechanic hand, and Rebecca (40) were living on Great Alfred Street South, Nottingham, with their six children: Emma (15) a goffering machinist, Elizabeth (13) an errand girl, John William (11), Ethel (9), Evelyn (5) and Horace (2). By 1901 the family was living at 75 Seymour Street, Nottingham. Only five of the six children were in the home on the night of the census: Elizabeth (23) a lace mender, John (20) an elastic bandage maker, Ethel (19) a lace mender, Evelyn (15) a lace joiner and Horace (12) who was still at school. The family was still living at 75 Seymour Street in 1911, but now with only four of the children still living at home: Elizabeth (33) a lace overlooker, Ethel (29) a lace jennier, Evelyn (25) a lace finisher and Horace (22) a lace shipping clerk. The eldest child, Emma, has not yet been traced after the 1891 Census but was still living in 1911. However, Emma may have died by the time of her mother's death in 1924 as her name was not included in the notice of Rebecca's death in the local paper. John jnr. had married Catherine (Kate) Durr (b. 1872 A/M/J Nottingham) in 1907 (J/A/S Nottingham). They had one son, probably James b. 1909 (J/A/S Nottingham-Durr), who died in infancy. In 1911 John and Catherine were living at 14 Auburn Terrace, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham. Catherine died at 13 Auburn Terrace on 6 April 1913 aged 40 (buried 9 April). John jnr. returned to live with his mother who sometime after the summer of 1912 moved to 30 Thurgaton Road, Sneinton, which remained the family home unti Elizabeth's death in 1959. John Ward snr. died of pneumonia at the family home on 7 July 1912 (J/A/S Nottingham). Ethel died the folowing month on 24 August 1912, also at 75 Seymour Street (J/A/S Nottingham). Rebecca Ward died on 11 December 1924 at 30 Thurgaton Street. Her two unmarried daughters, Elizabeth and Evelyn, continued to live at the family home. In 1939 at the time the England & Wales Register was compiled, Elizabeth was recorded working as a finisher and Evelyn as a lace jennier and finisher. Evelyn died on 23 July 1942 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Elizabeth on 5 June 1959 (A/M/J Nottingham). Horace joined the Army Pay Corps (7130 A/Cpl) on 11 June 1915 at the age of 26 and was posted to York the same day. He continued to serve on home service for the remainder of the war and was with Corp's unit in Nottingham before his discharge on 14 April 1919. His address on enlistment was given as 30 Thurgaton Road but this was later amended to 192 Carlton Road, Nottingham. Horace married Ethel May Hastilow in 1919 (A/M/J Nottingham); they had at least two children: Raymond H b. 1926 (A/M/J Nottingham-Hastilow) and Kathleen M Ward birth registered 1929 (J/F/M Nottingham-Hastilow). The family has not yet been traced on the 1939 Register of England & Wales. Kathleen May Ward, spinster, was awarded administration of Elizabeth Ward's estate in 1959.
2n Bn Sherwood Foresters. John William was killed in action on 13 October 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Identity confirmed by the Soldiers' Effects Register and Census data (mother's name) David Nunn Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 7 April 1913: ‘Ward. On April 6th, Catherine Ward (nėe Kate Durr), wife of John William Ward, 13, Auburn-terrace, Goldsmith-street, after a long and painful illness. RIP.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 9 July 1912: Ward. On the 7th inst., at 75, Seymour-street, John, the dearly loved husband of Rebecca Ward, aged 59 years, of pneumonia. Interment Church Cemetery, Thursday, 3 o'clock.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 26 August 1912: ‘Ward. On the 24th inst., at 75, Seymour-streeet, Ethel, the dearly loved daughter of Rebecca and the late John Ward. Interment Church Cemetery, Tuesday, 3 o'clock.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 13 October 1917: ‘Ward. In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private John William Ward, Sherwood Foresters, who made the great sacrifice October 13th, 1915, Ever in our thoughts. Mother, sisters, brother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Ward John William of 30 Thurgarton-street Nottingham private in HM Army died 13 October 1915 in France Administration (with Will) Nottingham 18 November to Rebecca Ward widow. Effects £134 9s. 4d. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother, Rebecca Ward, was his legatee. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 13 December 1924: ‘Ward. On December 11th, at 30 Thurgarton-street, Rebecca, dearly beloved wife of the late John Ward and devoted mother of Lizzie [Elizabeth], Evelyn, and Horace. Service St. Phillip’s Church, Monday, 2pm. Interment Church Cemetery, 3pm.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 27 July 1942: ‘Ward. On July 23rd, suddenly, at 30 Thurgarton-street, Evelyn Annie, dearly loved sister of Elizabeth and Horace and sister-in-law of Ethel May. Service St Phillip’s Church, Tuesday, 2pm. Interment Redhill, 2.30. At rest.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Ward Eveline Annie otherwise Evelyn Annie of 30 Thurgarton-street Sneinton Nottingham spinster died 23 July 1942 Administration (with Will) Nottingham 13 August to Elizabeth Ward spinster. Effects £178 14s. Probate: Ward Elizabeth of 30 Thurgarton Street Nottingham spinster died 5 June 1959 Administration Norwich 3 July to Kathleen May Ward spinster. Effects £215
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