The Ward Family

No. 4 Section 2nd Field Co. (Reserve Unit) East Anglian Royal Engineers, Luton, 1914 [Z50/142/573]

Monday 30th November 1914 (Luton): We have discovered a Luton family which we believe currently holds the record for the town in terms of army service. Mr Robert Ward of East Avenue, Park Street, Luton previously served in the 3rd Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and is now guarding a railway bridge as part of the National Reserve. He has five sons serving in the army as follows:

• Private Frederick Ward, 1st Beds, who is now a prisoner of war in the hands of the Germans
• Private Arthur Ward, Royal Irish Fusiliers
• Private Alfred Ward, 3rd Beds
• Private John Ward, 5th Beds
• Private James Ward, 5th Beds

Mr Ward also has two nephews in the Bedfordshire Regiment and a third, Percy Ticock, in the East Anglian Engineers, making a total of nine serving family members.[1]

Source: Luton News 3rd December 1914