Name

Stephen Ward.

Description

Newspaper Photograph of Petty Officer Stephen Ward/s funeral along Townsend Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

Life Story

Name: Stephen Henry Ward.

Service Number: 199275.

Rank: Petty Officer.

Battalion: H.M.S London.

Regiment: Royal Navy.

Born: 31st May 1880, Shankill Road, Belfast.

Died: 31st August 1915.

Address: 3 Hastings Street, Belfast

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Stephen Ward, son of Stephen and Margaret Jane Ward, lived with his wife and kids at 3 Hastings Street, Belfast

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The 1911 Census of England and Wales 1911 Enumeration Book for the Royal Navy has Stephen aboard H.M.S Indus, at Hamoaze, Devonport. His occupation is given as Petty Officer 1st Class Executive.

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Stephens wife and children living with his mother and brother in law, Margaret Brown, 61 years, William Brown, 37 years, French Polisher

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Stephen had married Caroline Emily Ward, Nee Brown, on the 9th May 1905 within Townsend Street Presbyterian Church, Shankill, Belfast. His Profession at this time was given as Gunner.

They went on to have two children, their names and dates of birth are as follows, Thomas John Ward born 3rd October 1906, Alfred Ernest Ward born 7th January 1911

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Stephen joined the Royal Navy on the 31st Mat 1898 for 12 years.

He served on a number of ships throughout his career, including the following: HMS Northampton, HMS Vivid I, HMS Victory I, HMS Cleopatra, HMS Cambrian, HMS Cambridge, HMS Eclipse, HMS Blake, HMS Leander, HMS Royal Arthur, HMS Orion, HMS Orontes, HMS Indus, HMS London, before ending aboard HMS Victory I once again in 1915.

Stephen Henry Ward had been a Petty Officer aboard H.M.S London within the Royal Navy before his death of Pulmonary Tuberculosis on the 31st August 1915 aged 35 years

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A local newspaper states

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NAVAL FUNERAL IN BELFAST.

The funeral of the late Mr Stephen Henry Ward, formerly a first-class petty officer on H.M.S London, took place on Friday last, with full military and naval honours. The remains were removed from the deceased late residence, 3 Hastings Street, Belfast, for internment in Carnmoney burying ground. The coffin which was enshrouded in the Union Jack, being borne on a gun carriage. A military det6achment was supplied from the 4th Batt Royal Irish Fusiliers, under the command of Lieutenant W.J. Best, the cortege being preceded by a firing party, in charge of Sergeant Maguire, and the drums and fife band of the same battalion, under the conductorship of Sergeant P Orchard. A number of naval men and a large attendance of relatives and sympathising friends of the deceased also followed. Prior to the removal of the remains a short service was conducted in the house by the Rev W, Corkey, M.A, minister Townsend Street Presbyterian Church, who also conducted the service at the graveside.

A naval detachment from H.M.S Garry was also in attendance. The buglers sounded the Last Post at the grave

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This or similar article were reproduced in a number of local papers

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A Pension Application Form shows Stephens wife as claimant.

Naval Pensions To Widows Of Men Whose Death Is Attributable To War like Operations shows his wife as claiming for herself and two children.

Dependants Pension Application forms also shows Stephens wife as claimant for herself and their children. The forms also show a further two local addresses that Caroline must have lived within while applying , 226 Old Lodge Road, Belfast, and 10 Eastland Street, Belfast.

Stephens mother is also shown within a Dependants Pension Application form as claimant for both her sons, William and Stephen

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See brother also: 8665 Lance Corporal William Albert Victor Ward 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

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William received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star.

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He is Remembered at Carnmoney Cemetery, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

To Remember Is To Honour

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