Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Ward, a farm labourer, born 1836 in Croxton Kerrial, Leics., and his wife Mary Ann Ward (nee King, married 1859), born 1840 in Little Bytham, Lincs., who was the daughter of John and Frances King of Little Bytham, Lincs. William Robert, was born in 1878 in Croxton Kerrial, Leics., his siblings were, John Thomas, a farm labourer, born 1860 in Little Bytham, Lincs., Catherine, a schoolgirl, born 1868, Joseph, a schoolboy, born 1871, George, a schoolboy, born 1873, Frances M., a schoolgirl, born 1875 and Lucy Annie, born 1877, the latter five siblings were all born in Croxton Kerrial, Leics., in April 1881 the family home was at Croxton Kerrial, Leics. In April 1891 William was employed as a farmers servant, and was residing in the family home at 16, Village Street, Croxton Kerrial, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Catherine, a domestic housemaid, Joseph, an ironstone labourer, George, a farm servant, Lucy, Harry, a schoolboy, born 1882 and Miriam, a schoolgirl, born 1884, the latter two siblings were both born in Croxton Kerrial, Leics. In March 1901 William was employed as an ironstone labourer, and was residing in the family home at Croxton Kerrial, Leics., together with his father, now a shepherd, his mother and siblings, Joseph, a farm labourer, Harry, a shoe maker and Miriam. In April 1911 William was employed as an ironstone labourer and was residing in the family home at Croxton Kerrial, Leics., together with his wife Lucy Ward (nee Clapton, married 1904), born 1873 in Witham Common, Lincs., and their children, Charles Robert, born 1906, Phyllis, born 1907 and Arthur, Leslie, born 1910, all their children were born in Croxton Kerrial, Leics. In the 3rd quarter of 1913, a son George H., was born.
On Friday April 16th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HEAVY LEICESTERSHIRE CASUALTIES.” – MEN WHO FELL AT NEUVE CHAPPELLE. – OFFICIAL LISTS. – The official lists of casualties published during the past week contain the names of numerous representatives of the Leicestershire Regiment, several of whom will be recognised as belonging to Melton Mowbray and district. Reported from the base, 24th March.
KILLED.
Ball (11054), Private A., Barker (10872), Private A., Bates (12314), Private W., Betteridge (9239), Lance Corporal T., Bishop (11078), Private J. H., Bosher (9534), Private H., Bradley (6131), Lance Corporal A., Bradley (11776), Corporal G. J., Branson (9838), Private F., Brooks (12142), Private B., Brown (11185), Private H., Brown (8631), Private S. W., Carter (11125), Private W., Congreve (8282), Private F., Conway (5393), Private A., Cooke (9898), Private E. A., Corby (8485), Private W. H., Cornish (10358), Sergeant J., Cousins (6007), Private C. E., Cox (8829), Lance Corporal F. J., Croucher (8854), Private L., Cunnington (12090), Private H., Davis (9923), Private F., Elson (7096), Lance Corporal F. A., Emery (8269), Private W., Ferguson (9277), Private R. E., Garton (9939), Private E., Green (11801), Private G., Hall (12041), Private E., Hallam (6473), Private O., Hayes (8740), Drummer D., Helsdon (6021), Lance Corporal W., Hicks (10718), Private E., Hinckley (9160), Private L. J., Holt (11718), Private C. H., Holt (12093), Private W., Hopkinson (12383), Private J., Hyde (8199), Private J. W., Lake (9242), Private H., Latham (12468), Private W. S., Lee (11330), Private E. H., Lees (5329), Sergeant E., Littlejohn (8708), Private T., Locks (8961), Private L., McHugh (12700), Private A., Mansfield (9034), Private H., Morgan (8412), Private A., Moore (5661), Private F., Neat (5342), Sergeant J., Needham (6400), Private H. S., Peacock (11043), Private G., Potterton (8959), Private W., Poyser (12070), Private J. G., Randle (6164), Private L., Reynolds (10162), Private J. S., Robinson (8732), Private P., Rowley (9863), Private W., Sanders (9225), Private U., Sheffield (12078), Corporal J. D., Shipsides (6396), Private E., Skelcey (8825), Private R., Soden (11262). Private W. A., Tansley (7898), Lance Corporal W. J., Taylor (12412), Private F. W., Towndrow (5708), Lance Corporal E., Twigg (7466), Sergeant J., Vine (10426), Private W., Ward (10951), Private W. R., Wardle (6399), Private W., Wareham (12045), Private H., Warner (9285), Private A. H., Warner (9864), Private O., Watson (11669), Private J., White (9522), Private A., Woodford (9045), Private A. F.
The War Diary for the 12th March records. The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15am the Germans counter attacked and A Coy at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1st/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lt McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00am the SIRHIND Bde supported by JULLUNDER Bde was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37pm received information that GARWHAL Bde would remain in possession of line. At 6.00pm FEROZEPORE Bde came up but by 11.00pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00pm to 2.15pm. Battn HQ’s and ½ D Coy moved to D. at 3.00pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Bde withdrawn about 11.30pm. The War Diary for the 13th March records. Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Bde at 5.15pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Bde (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30pm (Appendix F). At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battn marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Bde HQ’s RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00am 14th March.