Background
He was born in Harleston, Norfolk, and died in Malvern, Worcestershire.
He was born in Harleston, Norfolk, and died in Malvern, Worcestershire.
Ward was approximately 34 years old, and a private in the 78th Regiment of Foot (later The Seaforth Highlanders Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany"s), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 25 and 26 September 1857 in Lucknow, British India, for which he was awarded the Venture capital:
"Foreign his gallant and devoted conduct in having on the night of the 25th, and morning of the 26th of September, 1857, remained by the dooly of Captain H. M. Havelock, 10th Regiment, Deputy Assistant-Adjutant-General, Field Force, who was severely wounded, and on the morning of the 26th of September, escorted that Officer and Private Thomas Pilkington, 78th Highlanders, who was also wounded, and had taken refuge in the same dooly, through a very heavy cross fire of ordnance and musketry. This soldier remained by the side of the dooly, and by his example and exertions kept the dooly bearers from dropping their double load, throughout the heavy fire, with the same steadiness as if on parade, thus saving the lives of both, and bringing them in safety to the Baillie Guard." (Extract from Divisional Orders of Major-General Sir James Outram, Knight Grand Cross of the Bath, dated 27th October, 1857. Ward was buried in a pauper"s grave in Malvern, Worcestershire.
By 2014, his grave was in a poor state of reapir and the local council proposed to repair in association with the Victoria Cross Trust.