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Royal Victorian Medal & Military Medal

Article about: IN MEMORY OF: 13789 Pte Harry Ward 1st Bn Grenadier Guards RVM MM May his memory live, as he had no chance too. Harry was born in 275 Fereston (?) road, Radford Nottinghamshire around 1896,

  1. #1
    UnknownSoldier
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    Default Royal Victorian Medal & Military Medal

    IN MEMORY OF:
    13789 Pte Harry Ward 1st Bn Grenadier Guards RVM MM

    May his memory live, as he had no chance too.

    Harry was born in 275 Fereston (?) road, Radford Nottinghamshire around 1896, he had 3 older brothers, and 2 sisters (1 aged 15 and 1 aged 1).



    When he was old enough, it would seem, that Harry joined the Army, the Grenadier Guards, 1st Bn, in 1910, along with 11 other Grenadier Guardsmen, he formed part of the honour Guard to march besides the coffin of Edward the Seventh. For this service Harry was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in Bronze.





    RVM (EdVII) Bronze: 7 June 1910

    WARD, Harry. Pte King's Coy. 1st Bn Grenadier Guards: HM Funeral









    [http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/windsor/w...Ifuneral.html]

    2nd Bn Grenadier Guards:
    4.8.14 Chelsea: 4th (Guards) Bde. 2nd Div. 15.8.14 Landed at Havr 20.8.15 to 1st Guards Bde. Guards Div.

    On the 25th September 1917, 13789 Lcpl H.Ward of the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards was awarded an MM for Bravery in the Field (hopefully the war diary will help to confirm what his actions were that lead to the award).

    On the 1st December 1917 the 1st Guards division was at Cambrai, unfortunately Harry lost his life this day.

    Name: WARD, HARRY
    Initials: H
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lance Serjeant
    Regiment/Service: Grenadier Guards
    Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
    Date of Death: 01/12/1917
    Born In: Radford, Notts
    Service No: 13789
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2.
    Memorial: CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL



    Tom

    PPS:

    This is one of my favourite poems and it seems prudent to post it here for the coming November:



    Why Wear a Poppy?

    'Please wear a poppy, the lady said
    And held one forth, but I shook my head
    Then I stopped and watched to see how she'd fare
    Her face was old and lined with care,
    But beneath the scars the years had made,
    There remained a smile that refused to fade.
    A Boy came whistling down the street
    Bouncing along on carefree feet,
    His smile was full of joy and fun:
    'Lady" he said 'may I have one?'
    As she pinned it on I heard him say
    "Why do we wear the poppy today?'

    The lady smiled in her wistful way
    And answered: 'This is Remembrance Day.
    "The poppy there is the symbol for gallant men who died in war.
    And because they did, you and I are free-
    That's why we wear the poppy you see.
    I had a boy about your size
    With golden hair and big blue eyes,
    He loved to play and jump and shout
    Free as a bird he would race about.
    As years went on he learned and grew
    And became a man as you will too.

    He was fine and strong with a boyish smile
    But he seemed with us such a little while.
    When the war broke out he went away.
    I still remember his face that day.
    When he smiled at me and said "good-bye"
    I'll be back soon so please don't cry.
    But the war went on and he had to stay
    All I could do was wait and pray.
    His letters told of an awful fight
    I can see it still in my dreams at night
    With tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire
    And mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.

    ''Til at last the war was won
    And that's why we wear the poppy son'
    The small boy turned as if to go
    Then said :"Thanks lady" I am glad I know"
    'That sure did sound like an awful fight but your son,
    did he come home all right?"

    A tear rolled down each faded cheek
    She shook her head but didn't speak.
    I slunk away, head bowed in shame
    And if you were me you would have done the same
    For our thanks in giving is oft delayed,
    Though our freedom was bought and thousands paid
    And so when you see a poppy worn
    Let's reflect on burden borne
    By those who gave their very all
    When asked to answer their Country's call
    That we at home in peace may live.
    Then wear a poppy, remember, and give.
    And I shall finish by saying this.....

    Remember those who have fallen,
    Whether in war time, or in peace,
    For those who gave their lives for us,
    And their solemn release.

    Those men and women most forget,
    Those who made us safe,
    Spare a minutes silence please,
    And think of the life they gave.

  2. #2
    OKW
    ?

    Default Re: Royal Victorian Medal & Military Medal

    Hi, looks like he was one of the first to France as well, disembarkation date 130814. He probably went through Mons etc and the big retreat of the contemptible little army. Did well to survive till 1917. He was entitled to the 1914 star with clasp, indicating being under fire during the qualifying period, along with BWM and Victory.

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