Ward,+Edgar

Private, 15th (Hampshire Yeomanry) Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Service No: 55052. Age: 28. Died 02/10/1918 Son of William and Alice J. Ward, of 45, Manville Grove, Keighley, Yorks. PERTH CEMETERY (CHINA WALL), Plot III. Row D. Grave 14.
 * Edgar Ward**

Birth Place: Keighley, Yorks Residence: Keighley, Yorks Enlistment Location: York Formerly R4/111731, Royal Army Service Corps.

Whilst the above information is without doubt, Edgar was originally in the remount section and based at York. From what I have been able to find out from other people, it may have been that Edgar was injured at some point because he sent a postcard from Gosport Hospital in Hampshire. From there he may have been reassigned to the Hampshire regiment to take part in what was known as the final push. Because he was reassigned, this may have lead to hm losing his rank of sergeant. Edgar was killed in October 1918. Edgars father William Ward was chief joiner at Hattersleys Mill and was instructed to raise the Union Jack over the mill to mark the armistice, three days later William was notified of Edgars death. His medals have never been worn. Earlier this year Holy Family School used Edgar as part of their project on WW1, and placed a wreath on his grave, and for that I will always be grateful.

15th (Service) Battalion (2nd Portsmouth) Formed at Portsmouth on 5 April 1915 by the Mayor and a local Committee. Adopted by War Office on 30 May 1915. October 1915: moved to Aldershot and attached to 122nd Brigade in 41st Division. Moved to Marlborough Lines in February 1916 and landed in France in early May. 27 September 1917: amalgamated at Caestre with dismounted 1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry and renamed as the 15th (Hampshire Yeomanry) Bn.