Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Orton Ward, a cord wainer, born 1857 in Medbourne, Leicestershire and his wife Phoebe Rose Ann Ward (nee Driver, married in the 1st quarter of 1878 in the Uppingham, Rutland district), born 1860 in Medbourne. Ernest Harold was born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in Medbourne, his siblings were, Ethel Mary, a schoolgirl, born 1877 in Medbourne and William born 1890 in Ashley, Northamptonshire, in April 1891 the family home was in Ashley, Northamptonshire. In March 1901 Ernest was residing in the family home in Main Street, Medbourne, together with his father a boot maker, his mother a tobacconist and confectioner and his siblings, William and Frank, born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Ashley, Northamptonshire. In April 1911 Ernest was absent from the family home in Medbourne, residing there was his father, a boot maker, his mother and siblings, William, a pedlar and Frank, a general farm labourer, Ernest was employed as a private gardener and was residing at Langleybury Hunton Bridge, Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire. On the 10th April 1915 in St. Mark’s Church, Reigate, Surrey, Ernest married Elizabeth Gertrude Laker, they resided at 75, Homesdale Road, Reigate, Surrey, they had a daughter, Annie Phyllis Ward. Latterly Ernest’s widow resided at 17, Harriesdale Road, Reigate, Surrey. His younger brother Frank fell in action in July 1916.
Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 20th November 1915 in Ludlow, Shropshire. He gave his full address as 21, The Hope, Stanton Lacy, later changed to 75, Homesdale Road, Reigate, Surrey, his age as 28 years and 1 month and his trade or calling as gardener. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife, Elizabeth Gertrude Ward of 21, The Hope, Stanton Lacy, Ludlow, Shropshire, later changed to 75, Homesdale Road, Reigate, Surrey as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 6 foot in height, weighed 154 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 39 inches. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began after his attestation on the 20/11/15 in Ludlow, Shropshire when he was transferred as a Private, service number R/4036 to the Army Reserve on the 21/11/15. Mobilized on the 20/5/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment at Guildford, and allocated the service number G/15366 on the 30/5/16. Posted to the 10th Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force, France on the 5/9/16. Admitted to the 7th General Hospital in St Omer, suffering from German measles on the 12/3/17. Discharged to duty, in the field on the 21/3/17. Admitted to the 139 Field Ambulance, in the field suffering from I.C.T. (inflammation of connective tissue) of his left leg on the 1/4/17. Admitted to the 140th Field Ambulance, in the field suffering from a gunshot wound to the face on the 7/6/17. Discharged to duty, in the field on the 15/6/17. Killed in action, in the field on the 31/7/17. NOTE: Also recorded as killed in action, in the field on the 3/8/17, this entry was made by the Officer Commanding the 123rd Light Trench Mortar Battery, and may therefore have been an incorrect entry added to Ernest’s Army Form B. 103 – Casualty Form-Active Service. Ernest was awarded the British and Victory medals. Ernest’s widow and child were awarded a weekly pension of eighteen shillings and nine pence, payable from the 18th February 1918. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 31 Jul-17 – 2.00am. Battalion reported in position on tapes for attack. 3.50am. Barrage opened and attack commenced. The Battalion gained two objectives, consolidated and held the same. Casualties will be included in next month’s War Diary on completion of operations. Strength. Officers 33. Other Ranks 974.