Period:

Second Boer War (1899-1902)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1900

"On the 26th June, 1900, at Lindley, a picquet of the Yorkshire Light Infantry was surrounded on three sides by about 500 Boers, at close quarters. The two Officers were wounded and all but six of their men were killed or wounded. Private Ward then volunteered to take a message asking for reinforcements to the Signalling Station about 150 yards in the rear of the post. His offer was at first refused owing to the practical certainty of his being shot; but, on his insisting, he was allowed to go. He got across untouched through a storm of shots from each flank, and, having delivered his message, he voluntarily returned from a place of absolute safety, and re-crossed the fire-swept ground to assure his Commanding Officer that the message had been sent. On this occasion he was severely wounded. But for this gallant action the post would certainly have been captured."

For his gallant actions, he was promoted Sergeant and was last man to receive the Victoria Cross Medal from Queen Victoria herself, in September 1900.

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)