Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday December 29th, 1916

ELLISTOWN SOLDER KILLED IN ACTION

Official news has been received that Pte. J. R. Ward, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, has been killed in action. His parents reside at 35, South Street, Ellistown, his father, Mr Wm. Ward, being a miner at the Bagworth Colliery, where the deceased was also employed before the war. He was 19 years of age and single. He enlisted on May 12th, 1914, and was killed in action on November 13th, 1916, after being in France for five months.

"I often pause to think, dear son,
And wonder how you died,
With no one near who loved you dear,
Before you closed your eyes,
You nobly did your duty,
And like a hero fell,
Could I have held your drooping head
And heard your last farewell".

From his Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 9th, 1917.

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of our dear son, Private Joseph Richard Ward, killed in action, November 13th, 1916, aged 19 years.

“Sleep on, dear son, in a hero’s grave-
A grave we may never see.
But as long as life and memory lasts,
We will remember thee.
It’s the unknown grave that the bitterest blow,
None but aching hearts can know.”

From Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters, Ellistown.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 8th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Joseph R. Ward, 12th Royal Sussex Regiment, who fell in action, November 13th, 1916, aged 19 years.

“A loving son and brother dear
The fatal blow it came severe
His loving smile and welcome face
No one on earth can fill his place.

This day brings back our memory
Of him who was called to rest
And those who think of him to lay
Are those who loved him best.”

From his Father and Mother and Brothers and Sisters

Coalville Times article - Friday November 14th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son, Private Joseph Richard Ward, 12th Royal Sussex Regiment, who was killed in action in France, November 13th, 1916.

“A loving son, a brother kind,
A beautiful memory left behind
His work is done, he’ll fight no more,
He is laid to rest on a foreign shore.

To-day brings back to memory
A dear son gone to rest.
And those who think of him to-day
Are those who loved him best.”

From his Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
35, South Street, Ellistown.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 17th, 1939

In Memoriam

Ward – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. J. R. Ward, who was killed in action on November 13th, 1916.

“Hearts that have loved never forget.”

From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
25, Kendal Road, Ellistown

Coalville Times article - Friday 12th November, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

WARD – In ever loving memory of our dear son, and brother, Private Joseph R. Ward, 12th Royal Sussex Regiment, who fell in action, November 13th, 1916.

“Four years have passed, but still to memory ever dear;
His name we often breathe and shed a tear.
Time cannot alter love so deep, so true,
This day brings back our grief anew.”

From his loving Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
25, Kendal Road, Ellistown.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 19/10/2017