Great Uncle Philip

Philip Ward (col) — 2nd Lt Philip Ward, original image colourised by Marina Amaral

I grew up knowing that one of my ancestors had served and died in World War 1, but sadly I had never really learnt anything about him. My father, Jim Ward, compiled a family album of old photographs and family trees, and gave copies to myself and to my brother and my sister. He had found out that Great Uncle Philip grew up in Leigh, Lancashire, and that he had served in the 17th Battalion The Manchester Regiment. He also discovered that Philip was killed in action on December 27th 1917, and that he was commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial near Ypres, Belgium. The album included a scan of the Memorial Scroll that the War Office sent to my great grandparents, and had been passed down to him. When my father died in 2013 the original photographs and Scroll were passed to me.

With the centenary commemorations of World War 1 very much in mind, I am attempting to continue the work that my father had started, and to uncover some of our family history.

Stephen Ward

2ndltphilipward@gmail.com

Education and Training

Philip was brought up in Leigh, Lancashire. He was sent to Leigh Grammar School (formerly Free Grammar School of Leigh, now Bedford High School) in 1906 which he attended until gaining a scholarship at Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire. He joined Rossall in September 1911, a school which was rather bleakly described in 1844 by Headmaster, Dr John … Continue reading Education and Training

Service in the 17th Manchesters

June 1917 – Arrival and Training Newly commissioned officer, Second Lieutenant Philip, joined 17th Battalion The Manchester Regiment on June 16th 1917. No records have been found of how he travelled from England to the front, but one can imagine him journeying to the front along the network of railways that had sprawled from the … Continue reading Service in the 17th Manchesters

From the War Diary

The following extracts are taken from the War Diary of 17th Battalion The Manchester Regiment for the period that 2nd Lt. Philip Ward served with the Battalion. Where possible Battalion movements are augmented by maps, both contemporary and modern. Spellings and abbreviations vary according to writer. Photographs are courtesy of Mark Hone of the Manchester Regiment Forum, who … Continue reading From the War Diary

Philip’s Family

Working on this website has been a fascinating experience, not only have I learnt about Philip, but I have also discovered that he came from quite a remarkable family. At first I found it somewhat surprising that I had never heard about their achievements and their service to their communities. However, considering the tragedies this family endured and … Continue reading Philip’s Family

Finding Philip’s Grave…?

Undertaking this research has been quite a journey, and at times quite an emotional one. I have been very touched by the help and support that has been afforded me in trying to piece together Philip’s life, and to find out about his family. But I have been completely overwhelmed by where some of this … Continue reading Finding Philip’s Grave…?

After death…

On January 1st 1918, my great grandparents, James and Ellen Ward, were sent the dreaded telegram informing them of the death of their eldest son. Two days later, the sad news was published in the local press. I am very grateful to Garry Helsby of the Salford War Memorials for forwarding the following clippings from … Continue reading After death…

2nd Lt. Philip Ward 1898-1917

The life of 2nd Lt. Philip Ward and his service in 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Ypres Salient in World War 1.