Name
Arthur Ward
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/10/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14977
Essex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POTIJZE BURIAL GROUND CEMETERY
K. 13.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Memorial, Wallington
Pre War
Samuel Ward, an agricultural labourer, married Emma Hollingswoth in 1889 and their first son Arthur was born in 1890. They subsequently had 12 children. Frank was born in 1895 and Thomas Walter in 1897.
All 3 boys went to war but only Frank returned though he was seriously affected by his horrific experiences. In 1891 they were living in Red Hill, according to the census, a stone’s throw from Wallington. They then moved to Wallington.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of the Great War, according to the Essex Regimental Museum, Arthur enlisted into the 11th (service) Battalion in September 1914. Then 24 years of age, no doubt like so many others he rallied to the colours and relished the thought of travelling abroad for a war that everyone thought would be over by Christmas.
He was in training for a year at Shoreham, Brighton and Blackdown and finally sailed to France landing at Boulogne on August 30th. His battalion was in the 71st Brigade, 24th. Div. but on October 11th they were transferred to the 6th. Div. then on October 27th. (the day before he was killed) they were transferred again to the 18th. Brigade 6th. Div.
The 11th. Essex battalion were in the thick of the fighting at the Battle of Loos on the first 2 days, September 25th and 26th in the attack on Hulluch. (see map) then they were moved to the Ypres area in Belgium.
According to the war diary, the battalion moved from trenches at La Brique, Potijze on October 27th into a line of new trenches between Warwick farm and Crump Farm. The next day was spent improving trenches with a detachment returning from Poperinghe. The diary then adds “Two casualties”. We must assume that Pt. Arthur Ward was one of these.
He is buried in Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, close to where the chateau used as an advanced dressing station stood. He lies there alongside 584 other soldiers. May they all rest in peace.
Acknowledgments
Jean Handley
