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241227
Private
John Ward
King's Own Scottish Borderers
(Black Watch)
1st and 5th Battalions
Born
September 1887
Died
Age 31
Monday, 14th October 1918
Loved Ones
Son of William Ward
Husband of Annie Ward, of 15, Lindsay St., Stalybridge
Memorial
XVII. L. 16. Cemetery Index Number: B112.
HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY, Leper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Private Ward had only been married since the war commenced to Miss Annie O'Mara, who herself is associated with the Congregational Church and School, and a willing and active worker. In civilian life John was employed as a spinner at Messrs. Bannerman 's North End Mills. He enlisted in the K.O.S.B. in 1915, and after some months of training was drafted to Alexandria and thence to the Palestine front, where he saw much severe fighting against the Turkish forces. He was wounded in the leg in the advance in that theatre of war, and he was also at the capture of Jaffa. From there he was drafted across to France; and on this side of Europe he had been in some heavy engagements and was again wounded, in the hand, but was retained with the forces. The latter end of September saw him once again in England on leave for the first time since his enlistment, after two years and nine month's warfare. He had been back in France only a little over fourteen days when he met his death. (John’s Regiment must have moved into Belgium). His loss to the Congregational Young Men's Class will be severely felt, as almost from his first entry he has held several offices, and at the time of his enlistment he was secretary to two organisations in connection with the class. He was held in the highest esteem by his colleagues.
The Hooge Crater cemetery is not far from Ypres. The cemetery stands in the middle of extensive farmland. Wherever you look there are rolling fields and hedgerows. It is a truly beautiful spot. The cemetery itself is also beautifully kept. There is a main walkway down the centre at the head of which stands the Cross of Sacrifice. There is a Cross of Sacrifice in every cemetery that you visit. As you walk down the main walkway at the head of each row of headstones either side is planted a lavender bush. There are many other perrenial plants planted between and in front of the headstones. It really is a beautiful site for a cemetery.
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