Harry Ward
Harry Ward was born in Welwyn on September 18th 1877 and baptised on 2nd December 1877 at St Mary's Church. His parents were William and Rose Ward and he was one of 14 children including Edward, who was killed in action in 1917.
He attended Welwyn National School and sang in the church choir.
Harry worked in a drapery in Welwyn when he was 13 and left home at the age of 15. By the age of 23 he was working as a footman in Kensington. Ten years later he was working in St Marylebone as a packer and lodging in the Edgware Road.
He volunteered as soon as war broke out in 1914, initially joining the
3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment but was transferred to the 5th Battalion
Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1915.
Harry served both in France and in Serbia and was injured several times, but he always returned to the Front and eventually died from wounds and the effects of gas on April 18th 1917.
It is not certain but it is possible that he received his fatal wounds at the Battle of Arras or the First Battle of Scarpe between April 9th and 14th.
He is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France (Grave ref 11.E.79).
A memorial service for Harry, as well as Cecil Blake, John Mayes and Percy Mardell was held in Welwyn on April 25th 1917.
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Biography and photograph courtesy of Mrs. Ruth Brookes
