| Ward | A C | | Lieutenant | He was born at Rosslyn Hall, Jamaica, West Indies, 15 April 1878, third son of Colonel the Honourable C J Ward, CMG, Member of the Legislative and Privy Councils of Jamaica, and of Mrs Ward. On the maternal side his great-grandfather was J Z Holwell, Governor of Fort William, Calcutta, who so greatly distinguished himself by his bravery and leadership of the gallant defence of the Old Fort of Calcutta in June 1756. He survived the tragedy of the Black Hole; erected a monument to those who perished, and died in London in 1798, aged 87 years. Arthur Ward was educated at Beaumont College, Old Windsor, and joined the 6th (Militia) Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1899. He served in the South African War, 1900-1, and was present at operations in Cape Colony, for which he received the Queen's Medal with two clasps, and a direct commission in the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (Regulars), as Second Lieutenant, 21 April 1900. He became Lieutenant 27 February 1901, and in 1901 and 1903 was seconded for service under the Colonial Office, taking part in the Aro Expedition, 1901-2, in Southern Nigeria; in Southern Nigeria, 1902; in Southern Nigeria, 1902-3, in operations against the Chief Adukukaiku of Igarra; operations against the Uris and the people of Omonoha and Ebima, with the 3rd Southern Nigerian Frontier Force. For his services he was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 28 October 1904]; received the African General Service Medal with three clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 28 October 1904]: "Arthur Claud Ward, Lieutenant, Lancashire Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the operations in Southern Nigeria, 1903". He became Captain 15 March 1910. Captain Ward served in the European War. On the 26th August 1914, forty-eight hours after landing in France, there was a sudden attack by an overwhelming force of the enemy near Cambrai at dawn on 12th Infantry Brigade, of which his battalion formed part, and it was smothered by machine-gun fire. The battalion held on most gallantly, but had scarcely any artillery to assist them, and had not time to dig themselves in. Captain Ward was trying to assist wounded subalterns when he was killed instantaneously. He had married, in 1906, Ruby, daughter of Colonel R W Mansbridge, of Staines, and they had two daughters: Daphne and Audrey.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Lancashire Fusiliers |
