Driver Horace Ward, 124232, 91st Brigade Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action while taking ammunition to the firing line in Flanders on October 8th, 1917. He was given a battlefield funeral with full military honours

It was a tragic end for a man who had known his own moment of personal tragedy just six weeks earlier. When he was called up, Horace Ward was about to marry Luton girl Ethel Emily Johnson, of 14 Shirley Road, but the wedding had to be postponed. While Horace was serving, Ethel contracted a disease from which she never recovered and died on August 22nd at the age of 29. Horace was able to get home for a final meeting with Ethel before he went back to France and met his own death.

Horace was born at Ramridge End, Stopsley, a son of gamekeeper Jesse Ward and his wife Susan. By the time of Horace's death his parents were living at the Blue Anchor, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent.

Horace had been living with his Aunt Kate at 70 Frederic Street, Luton, and working for baker Mr Redrup, of High Town.