Robert Frank Ward

Story:
Robert Frank Ward was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 13 Oct 1889 the son of Frank Ward and Annie Eliza Strickland Ward (nee Shepherd).  His father died in 1905. He lived his early life in Christchurch until he obtained employment as a Grocer's Assistant with the Shaftesbury, Dorset, firm of Stratton, Sons & Mead.  By 1911 he was boarding at Bell Vue House, Victoria Street, Shaftesbury.  He enlisted and joined Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No.14298).  He served in France and Flanders from 19 Sep 1915 with the 7th Battalion eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant.  He was discharged on 24 Feb 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  His name was also placed on his employer's Roll of Honour.   He married Edith Phoebe Watts (nee Leach), widow of George E. Watts who had been killed in the war in 1915, in Lewisham, Kent, during 1918.  Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register shows he was living at 56 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a Grocer's Assistant.  His death was recorded in Shaftesbury on 16 Dec 1962.