Cpl Hubert William Ward died 22/12/1915

[christine liava'a]

Cpl Hubert William WARD, 13833 9 Bn, Suffolk Regt Age 32, who died on 22.12.15. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium

WARD

Initials: H W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment

Unit Text: 9th Bn.

Age: 32

Date of Death: 22/12/1915

Service No: 13833

Additional information: Son of Thomas and Martha Ward, of 17, Brickfield Cottages, Somerleyton, Lowestoft, Suffolk. Born lundeston, Lowestoft.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. B. 21.

Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY

During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D'Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces. From April to August 1918, the casualty clearing stations fell back before the German advance and field ambulances (including a French ambulance) took their places. The cemetery contains 9,901 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, a few of which were brought in from the battlefields after the Armistice, and 883 war graves of other nationalities, mostly French and German. It is the second largest Commonwealth cemetery in Belgium. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

No. of Identified Casualties: 10750

[Guest Hill 60]

From SDGW:

Born: Blunderston, Suffolk.

Enlisted: Lowestoft.

Died of Wounds.

[christine liava'a]

9th Bn Suffolk Regt. Sep 1914 - 11 Oct 1915. To the 6th Division.

6th DIVISION

A Regular Division stationed in Ireland prior to the outbreak of the war. Arrived in France in September 1914. Served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements.

France and Flanders.

Battle of Armentieres. 13 Oct-2 Nov 1914, including the capture of Metern.

Actions of Hooge. 19 Jul. 30 Jul. 9 Aug 1915.

Battle of Flers-Courcelette. 15-22 Sep 1916, including the capture of Martinpuich.

17th Brigade. (Exchanged with the 71st Brigade, 24th Division on 14 Oct 1915.)

71st Brigade.

9th Bn Norfolk Regt. 11 Oct 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.

9th Bn Suffolk Regt. 11 Oct 1915 - 16 Feb 1918. Disbanded.

[Terry Denham]

Original CWGC register says 'Died of Wounds'.

[Marc Thompson]

On 19th December 1915, the 9th Suffolks were in trenches in front of St. Jean. Gas was sent over early in the morning, followed by a very heavy bombardment lasting twenty-four hours. During this gas attack "D" Company, in reserve on the canal bank, rendered prompt assistance, marching up into the line in their gas masks through intense fire. The casualties in the battalion amounted to over eighty, including 2nd Lieut. B. H. Collis, who died on the 20th from the effects of his wounds. He is buried in grave ref. II. A. 12. at Lijssenthoek. SDITGW indicates that 5 OR buried at Lijssenthoek from 9th Suffolks died of wounds between 20/12/1915 to 31/12/1915, including Hubert Ward. Probably most of them as a result of this action.