Private Thomas Henry Ward

[kathleen donaldson]

I would be grateful for any information anyone may hve regarding my Grandfather - Thomas Henry Ward 6633

2nd BN Royal Sussex Regiment who died aged 31 on Thursday 8th October 1914 buried at Villers -En-Prayers Communal Cemetary

Thanks Kathy

[Simon_Fielding]

Soldiers Died CD ROM gives:

Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Battalion

Pte Thomas Ward L/6633

b. Homerton Middlesex

e. Dalston

died of wounds

8/10/14

Hope this helps!

Simon

[Alan Seymour]

Kathy,

When someone is killed or wounded in action normally it’s only the officers names that are recorded in war diaries not the ‘rank and file’. So when someone dies of wounds like your grandfather unless you know the date you can never be sure when he actually received them.

The following information is taken from the war diary during the first few days of Oct. 1914 of 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regt. when it is recorded that men were wounded.

"Oct. 2nd – A comparatively quiet day...... At about 6.45pm. an attack was made on our positions, but repelled very quickly. Shells were dropping on our positions. 3 men wounded.

Oct. 4th – More shells commence to fall on our positions at about 8am. and

six men were killed and 6 men wounded...........

Oct. 5th – Artillery fire was again commenced early and continued throughout the day, In the evening we were relieved in the trenches by the L. N. Lancs. One man wounded.

Oct. 7th – At about 6am. the enemy’s machine guns opened a heavy fire on some dummy trenches that had been constructed, managing to knock out a number of dummies which we had made of old clothing stuffed with straw. One “man” reading a “Daily Mail” had over 40 bullets in him. At about 11am. the enemy sent over some heavy shells, named “BOLOS”. These are monster high explosive shells fired at quite short range by a gun that makes very little noise. It has a very high trajectory & falls almost vertically & therefore can search behind hills however steep. Even over steep banks were no protection. These shells were probably directed by aeroplane for 12 flew over our position before 10.30am. The first round accounted for 2 men of C Coy. (wounded) in addition to some casualties in the L. N. Lancs. The next similar shell came about 1.30pm. & burst in the Mess “dugout” of the Officers of the L. N. Lancs. killing 2 and wounding 3 Officers. At about 5pm. another issue of “BOLO” was made, one of them landing 20 yards from our Cookers and Bn. Headquarter. Capt. R. J. A. Aldridge was killed and Capt. C. E. Bond, Lieut. G. R. V. Panton & 2/Lt. G. H. B. de Chair were wounded. The last of these officers was fortunately only slightly wounded & not evacuated. In addition 5 other ranks were killed & 16 were wounded. The heavy toll taken by this shell was due to the fact that a party was drawing tools from Head Qrs. at the time. In the evening we relieved the Northants in No. 2 Section of the trenches. On this day, a second wire was received from D.A.G. that no Nominal rolls of casualties had reached the base, although these have been rendered in accordance with Regulations. The Brigadier was informed accordingly.

8th Oct. – At about 3am. 8 Officers & 124 Reinforcements joined us…… Usual Artillery Bombardment."

There were no recorded casualties on the 8th Oct. the day your Grandfather died of his wounds.

Alan Seymour

[Paul Reed]

You already have a lot of details above, but I will check my records and get back to you. By his regimental number it is possible he also served in the Boer War. In the meantime you may also find the following of interest:

http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/royalsussex.htm

[Paul Reed]

From his regimental number is enlisted in October-November 1901; so a little too late for the Boer War. It is fairly likely he enlisted via the 3rd Battalion; Attestation Forms for men who did this are held in class WO96 (Militia Attestations) at the Public Records Office. He was probably a reservist in 1914, and recalled to join the regiment on mobilisation.

Hope that helps.