Charles Ward
Private, 2nd Battalion. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 1268 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry all King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 26 June 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War
- London Gazette
- 28th September 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
- Born
- 10th July 1877 at Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire
- Died
- 30th December 1921 at Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales
- Memorial / grave
- at St Mary's churchyard, Whitchurch, Cardiff, Wales
Digest of citation
At Lindley, South Africa, on 26th June 1900, a Yorkshire Light Infantry picquet was enveloped on three sides by approximately 500 Boers, at close range. The two officers in charge were both wounded and all others, apart from six men, were either killed or wounded. Private Ward volunteered to carry a message asking for reinforcements, even though this deed was highly dangerous, and almost certain death. His offer was at first refused, but his insistence convinced his officers that it was worth a chance. The signal station was 150 yards to the rear but he managed to get across to it through heavy fire from both sides, without injury. Private Ward, retiring from a place of safety, made his way back, re-crossing the fire-swept ground, to inform his commanding officer that the message had been sent. On his return journey to the post he was severely wounded. The post would almost certainly have fallen into enemy hands, had it not been for Private Ward's gallant action
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
WARD, Charles. (reg No. 1268).
Private. 2nd Battalion. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 28th September 1900.
VC Medal in private hands.
Born on 10th July 1877 at Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire.
Died on 30th December 1921 at Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales.
Memorial on grave at St Mary's churchyard, Whitchurch, Cardiff, Wales.
Digest of Citation reads: At Lindley, South Africa, on 26th June 1900, a Yorkshire Light Infantry picquet was enveloped on three sides by approximately 500 Boers, at close range. The two officers in charge were both wounded and all others, apart from six men, were either killed or wounded. Private Ward volunteered to carry a message asking for reinforcements, even though this deed was highly dangerous, and almost certain death. His offer was at first refused, but his insistence convinced his officers that it was worth a chance. The signal station was 150 yards to the rear but he managed to get across to it through heavy fire from both sides, without injury. Private Ward, retiring from a place of safety, made his way back, re-crossing the fire-swept ground, to inform his commanding officer that the message had been sent. On his return journey to the post he was severely wounded. The post would almost certainly have fallen into enemy hands, had it not been for Private Ward's gallant action.
Additional information:. Company Sergeant-Major Ward was educated at Primrose Hill School, Leeds. He enlisted in the Yorkshire Light Infantry, in the 1st Battalion on 29th April 1897, serving with it for two years until he joined the 2nd Battalion in the Cape Colony. He was severely wounded and because of this had only two clasps with the South African Medal, for Cape Colony and Free State. The citizens of Leeds, Yorkshire, presented him with a testimonial, £600 and a commemorative gold medal. He was the last recipient of the Victoria Cross to be decorated by Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
Additional information
Company Sergeant-Major Ward was educated at Primrose Hill School, Leeds. He enlisted in the Yorkshire Light Infantry, in the 1st Battalion on 29th April 1897, serving with it for two years until he joined the 2nd Battalion in the Cape Colony. He was severely wounded and because of this had only two clasps with the South African Medal, for Cape Colony and Free State. The citizens of Leeds, Yorkshire, presented him with a testimonial, £600 and a commemorative gold medal. He was the last recipient of the Victoria Cross to be decorated by Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
VC Medal in private hands.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at St Mary's churchyard, Whitchurch, Cardiff, Wales
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Charles Ward by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.