Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Stephen Luke Ward was born on 9th April 1881 in Hackney, London, Middlesex to boot closer and shoemaker Stephen and Charlotte (nee Darke).
Stephen’s father Stephen was born about 1857 in Westminster St James or St Pancras in Middlesex to boot closer Luke, born about 1825 in Dublin Ireland, and Eliza, born about 1830 in Paddington, Middlesex. His mother Charlotte was born in the 4th quarter of 1849 in Stepney Middlesex, to communal traveller and builder William John, born about 1818 in Stepney Middlesex, and Emma, born about 1823 in West Ham, Essex. At the time of the 1851 Census, William was a builder employing 15 men. Stephen married Charlotte on 20th May 1877 at St Martin’s church, Kentish Town.
Stephen had five sisters: Charlotte born about 1878 in London; Florence Eliza born on 16th October 1879; Beatrice Emma born on 4th October 1882; Gertrude born on 16th February 1884; and Nellie born on 9th July 1885, all in Hackney London.
All of the children including Stephen were baptised on 2nd November 1885 at St Michael and All Angels in Hackney. At this time the family lived at 14 Bayford Street in Hackney.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at 15 Conrad Street, Hackney. Stephen was working as a boot closer and Charlotte was looking after their children, Charlotte and Florence.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family moved to Chatham Place in Hackney. Stephen was still working as a boot closer. Charlotte, Florence, Stephen, Beatrice and Gertrude were scholars. The household was completed by Stephen senior’s mother Eliza Willson and his step father, railway servant John Willson, grandchild Frank Harris and a boarder, cigarette maker Florence Willis.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Stephen now working as a boot repairer, and his daughter Florence, were living at 34 Plashet Grove in East Ham, London. The house had seven rooms.
Stephen enlisted into the 8th Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment on 9th September 1914 in Exeter for the duration of the war. His regimental number was 1764 and he was a private. He was 34 years and 153 days old. He was previously serving in the Essex Volunteers. At the time of Steven’s enlistment his father Stephen lived at 2 Oakdene Road in Brockham Green, Surrey.
Stephen was over 5ft tall and weighed 122lbs. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He also had three vaccination marks on his left arm.
Stephen was discharged as medically unfit on 26th October 1914, having served 48 days at home. His right foot was very flat, his left foot had an old painful scar on the sole and he was also found to be mentally very dull.
Stephen re-enlisted to the 7th Battalion Seafront Highlanders (Ron-shire Buffs) in July 1915 in Shoreditch, London. His regimental number was S/9353. He disembarked on 2nd October 1915 in France. On 19th December 1915, the 7th Battalion Seaford Highlanders trench was gassed and shelled by Germans. The gas attack ceased about 7.30am.
Stephen Luke Ward died of wounds on the 20th of December 1915.
He is buried at the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) in Zillibeke. His grave reference number is: I.F.3. A.
BROCKHAM MAN KILLED
Mr. Ward, of Oakdene Road, Brockham, has lost his only son, Pte. Stephen Ward, 7th Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action a few days before Christmas. The sad news was made known to his father and sisters in a most sympathetic letter from his Commanding Officer, who spoke of him as an excellent soldier in every respect, and also as a good man, whose death was deeply regretted by his comrades. Pte. Ward, who was 34 years of age, had been in the Army over five years previous to the war. Immediately on the outbreak of war he enlisted in the Royal West Surrey Regiment, and was discharged after three months as medically unfit. Last July he re-enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders, and was sent to the front in October. His last letter home was dated December 15th, only a few days before his death. Pte. Ward was unmarried.
Stephen Ward Death Notice Dorking Advertiser © findmypast.co.uk
At this time his parents still lived at 2 Oakdene Road, Brockham Green.
Stephen’s father Stephen received £4, 5s and 11d on 22nd December 1916 and £3 in 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Stephen Luke Ward received the British War and Victory Medals and the 1915 Star.
Stephen Ward senior of Oakdene Road, Brockham Green died on 11th March 1929. He resided in Brockham for his last sixteen years and until two years before his death he was still working as a shoemaker. He was also a regular worshipper at Christ Church in Brockham and a member of the local branch of the Conservative Association. He was 72 years old.
| Born | Hackney | |
| Enlisted | Shoreditch | |
| Regiment | 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders | |
| Number | S/9353 | |
| Date of Death | 20th December 1915 | |
| Place of Death | Flanders | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Wounds | |
| Age | 34 | |
| Cemetery | Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ypres, Belgium |
