William Frederick Ward

A Drummer with the 8th Battalion, William died on 3rd of June 1916 at the age of 32. 

William was born at Lowestoft on 3 September 1883, a son of Samuel and Louisa Garwood Ward. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 3 May 1886. In 1891 his family lived at 21 Reeve Street. By 1901 William was lodging at 40 Temperley Road, Streatham, and William was a gas-fitter’s apprentice.

On 24 April 1903 William married Jeanette Adelaide Griggs at the Church of the Ascension, Balham. William was a plumber, and both William and Jeanette were living at 10 Verran Road, Balham. By 1911 they were living at 217 Raglan Street and William was a general labourer at Lowestoft fish market. Later Jeanette lived at 140 Raglan Street.

William volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 15386, and was posted to the 8th Battalion. William arrived in France with the Battalion on 25 July 1915.

On 2 June 1916 most of the 8th Battalion moved into tents and shelters at Billon Wood, and A Company and the Battalion Headquarters moved to Bronfay Farm. The next day ‘The enemy put one 4.2” shell into Bronfay Farm causing following casualties: three drummers killed, eight wounded, three shell-shock.’

William was among those killed at Bronfay Farm.