Name
Thomas William Ward
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1917
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
88581
Royal Garrison Artillery
121st Siege Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
II. B. 70.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
High Wych War Memorial
Pre War
Thomas was born in November 1881 at Redricks Lane. He married Eliza Jane Lane at S Albans Church Coopersale Essex on 15th August 1903 and was a ‘Domestic Gardener’. They had two children Arthur Thomas (b-1905) and Francis Elizabeth (b-1914).
In the 1911 census, the family was living and working at Hill Hall, Theydon Mount.
On the 29th November 1915 he enlisted and his papers note that he wished to serve in the Royal Garrison Artillery. At the time he was living at Hill Hall Lodge, Theydon Mount, Nr Epping, Essex and was working as a gardener. It was also recorded that he had served for 15 months in the 4th Bedford Volunteers and the Scots Guards.
He was recorded as born Highwick (sic High Wych), Herts. and living in Theydon Mount, Essex, when he enlisted in Epping, Essex
Husband of Eliza Jane Ward, of Theydon Mount, nr. Epping, Essex.
Wartime Service
Thomas was Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was on the reserve list so it seems that he enlisted as part of the Derby Scheme. Its official title was the Group Scheme, and was intende to increase the numbers of men available for call up. Men aged 18 to 40 were informed that under the scheme they could continue to enlist voluntarily or attest with an obligation to come if called up later on. The War Office notified the public that voluntary enlistment would soon cease and that the last day of registration would be 15 December 1915. The public was assured that the groups of unmarried men would be called up before married men.
Thomas was on the reserve list he was mobilosed on the 29th May 1916 and served in England (training) and was posted to the 121st Siege Battery on the 27th June 1916. He left for France on the 10th July 1916 arriving the following day.
He was wounded and taken to the 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Satation and died of wounds on 23rd April 1917.
Acknowledgments
Douglas Coe
