Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Ward, an agricultural labourer, born 1856 in Scalford, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Rebecca Ward (nee Knapp, married in the 1st quarter of 1876 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1857 in Branston, Leicestershire. John, a schoolboy was born in the 1st quarter of 1884 in Stathern, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Sarah Elizabeth, born 1877 in Scalford, George Knapp, a schoolboy, born 1879, William, a schoolboy, born 1882 and Thomas, born 1888, the latter three siblings were all born in Stathern, in April 1891 the family home was at Blacksmiths End, Stathern. In the 3rd quarter of 1891 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, John’s mother died aged 33. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home in Barkestone, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his step mother, Mary Ann Ward (formerly Durant, married in the 3rd quarter of 1897 in the Bingham, Nottinghamshire district), born 1860 in Newark, Nottinghamshire, brother Thomas, a farm plough boy and his step sister, Grace Reynolds Durant, born 1890 in Ratcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, and baptised on the 4th August 1889 in St. Mary’s Church, Ratcliffe on Trent. In April 1911 John was employed as a postman and was residing as a boarder at Somerby, Leicestershire together with his wife Daisy Julia Ward, born 1885 in Wandsworth, Surrey. John first entered the theatre of war in France on the 5th April 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant Davis attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7. had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire ( a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.
On Friday October 27th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – PTE. JOHN WARD. Mrs. Ward, Burton-st., has this week received notification from the War Office that her husband, Pte. John Ward, of the Leicester’s, has been killed in action. Deceased who was 33 years of age, was a native of Stathern. He joined the army as a lad, and served eight years with the colours and seven on the reserve. On leaving the Army he entered the services of the postal authorities at Oakham, and was transferred to Melton Mowbray in April 1912. He acted as rural postman for the Ab Kettleby and Wartnaby district until the outbreak of war, when he was called up as a reservist. He leaves a widow but no children. Deceased’s adopted son, Pte. Ted Ward, is serving with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and was wounded in the Battle of Loos. During the past week he has been home on leave prior to returning to the front.
On Friday November 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – AB KETTLEBY. – KILLED IN ACTION. - The news of the death of Pte. John Ward, of the Leicester’s, who was recently killed in action in ---, was received in the village with very great feelings of regret. Prior to the war Pte. Ward, who was a reservist, acted as postman for Ab Kettleby and Wartnaby, and was always a most obliging and cheerful character. He was a great favourite with all the villagers. On the outbreak of war he rejoined his regiment, and was sent to ---, where after performing many deeds of gallantry, he was killed in action. Much sympathy is felt for his widow, and it is hoped that it will be some little consolation to her to know he died nobly doing his duty to his King and country.