Samuel Ward (1891-1916)
Private in the 15th DLI, died of wounds received at the Battle of the Somme
Samuel Ward was the oldest child born to George and Mary Ward in Nottingham around 1891. He enlisted in the army on 12 September 1914 at the age of 23. On enlistment he became Private 19982 of 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Samuel arrived in France on 10 September 1915 and this was where he was to see the rest of his service.
Samuel was one of thousands of men involved in the first few days of the Battle of Somme. He arrived in the No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station on 2 July 1916 with gunshot wounds to both of his knees. The chaos and sheer number of admissions in the first five days of July means that specificity was understandably lacking from the admission and discharge register. At some point between the 2 and 5 July Private Ward was transferred by Ambulance Train to a Stationary Hospital.
He died on 7 July 1916 at 5.50am from “gunshot wounds to knees. Gas Infection”. James is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in France.
Birth date: 1891
Death date: 7-Jul-1916
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Nottingham (birth)
Religion: Church of England
Family: Parents: George Ward, Mary Maria Ward
Siblings: Tom Ward, Richard Ward, George Ward, Harry Ward, Harriet Ward, Mirna Ward
Half Siblings: Five half siblings
Military service:
15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
1914-15 Star
Gender: Male
Contributed by Gemma, Durham University Intern
