252850 Private Dick Ward British Army Signals Section, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders from:Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire (d.15th June 1917) Dick Ward was born at Charity Farm, Skipwith in 1897 was the youngest child of Frank Ward (b. South Milford, 1854) and Annie Gertrude Durham (b. Wheldrake, 1854). Frank and Annie married in 1876 and had 10 children. Annie died in 1900 when Dick was aged 3. It is likely, Dick was brought up by his older sister Annie Elizabeth (b. 1871 d. 1958). Annie Elizabeth was 21 when their mother died.
Dick’s burnt war records show he was 19 when he joined the Gordon Highlanders in Aberdeen on the 7th of February, 1916. Dick signed on in Aberdeen as his Attestation dated 9th of February 1916 gives his address as Stamford Bridge where he was a Farm Servant and it appears living at home, Danegelt House. It’s uncertain why Dick joined the Gordon Highlanders and signed on in Scotland. Perhaps he was estranged from his father and family, perhaps he had found work in Scotland or perhaps he had just run away from home to join up!
Dick was posted, presumably for training, on the 11th of February 1916. On the 1st of November 1916 he sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne, then onwards to Etaples, a fishing port and base camp 15 miles south of Boulogne. Etaples was an important base for the British Army, using Boulogne as its port for personnel. Calais was used mainly for stores, ammunition, etc. Etaples was the BEF's main infantry base, with sections for every regiment with battalions at the front. In theory, the base held a ten per cent reserve for every frontline battalion, but these figures fluctuated significantly depending on the levels of casualties at the front and the supply of fresh troops from England. Troops held at the base were toughened up while waiting dispatch to the front. Etaples serviced the Regular and New Army battalions at the front and included 16 hospitals. Having passed through Etaples. Dick was posted to the front on 20th of November 20th 2016. Dick is likely to be one of the 19 other rank soldiers who arrived in Vauchelles on 23rd of November.
In June 1917 the 1st Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders were involved in the Battle for Infantry Hill. Infantry Hill near Monchy-le-Preux, southeast of Arras, exchanged hands several times. It was captured in May but retaken by the Germans, and captured again by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. By the middle of June it was once more in German hands, but on the 14th June of a surprise daylight attack was made by the 1st Gordon Highlanders and the 1st Essex, without artillery support. Success was achieved very quickly, but the enemy drove them off and the attack had to be made one more time to secure Infantry Hill for the British.
Dick’s records state he was killed in action on the 22nd of June 2017. He was actually killed on Friday 15th of June 1917, the Battle for Infantry Hill. He spent only 7 months in action on the front line.
On the 28th June his father Frank wrote to Dick’s commanding officer for further details of his son’s death. Apparently in the notification of Dick’s death no date had been stated. He was checking whether the notification of his son’s death was true. He also queries whether he can have Dick’s possessions and whether or not Dick had made a will. In response on the 2nd July the Major requires more details of Dick’s regiment. Frank’s reply on the 4th July is, I think, very poignant, he writes ‘I hope you will be able to trace him’. Clearly my Great Grandad hopes the notification of Dick’s death is a mistake!
A letter from the War Office in London dated 11th of October 1917 advises the Officer i/c Infantry Records in Perth to dispatch Dick’s belongings to Frank in Stamford Bridge. On the 22nd October Dick’s possessions were forwarded to his father. They were,
A disc, a Pocket Book, Photographs, Signal Certificate, AFB 2079, 1 receipt, his Registration Card and a Society Card. So few personal items.
On the 22nd of October 1919 Frank received a letter from the Officer in charge of Records asking for a declaration regarding Dick’s relatives so the Death Plaque and medals could be issued. Frank completed the declaration on the 3rd November 1919. At this time Frank describes himself as a farmer and is still living in Stamford Bridge. Frank is 60 and his brothers Willie (39) Frank (35) and Peter (29) are living on the farm. Nearly 2 years later in October 1921 Frank finally received Dick’s British War Medal and Victory Medal.
My Great Uncle, Private Dick Ward of the Signals Section, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Just one of 34,816.
|