George Benjamin Ward

First Name: 
George
Middle Name: 
Benjamin
Last Name: 
Ward
Date of Birth: 
Friday, July 3, 1896
Mother's Name: 
Ada Ward nee Smith
Father's Name: 
George Ward
Date Enlisted: 
Monday, January 10, 1916
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
1st Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Wednesday, February 3, 1971
Place of Death: 
Wollongong, N.S.W.
Details: 

George Ward (Service No 5784) was born in Balgownie, N.S.W.

At enlistment Geroge was single, 19 years old and employed as a miner. George had previously served in 37th infantry Militia.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A55 Kyarra with 18th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion on 3rd June 1916.  The troops arrived in England on 3rd August 1916 and after training George joined 1st Battalion in France on 9th January 1917.

George saw service on the Western Front until he was wounded in action on 20th January 1918. The wound is not stated on his military documents, and he was back on duty on 24th January 1918.  

On 4th March 1918 George was admitted to hospital due to an accidental injury but again the injury is not stated.  He returned to his unit on 26th March 1918.

George returned to Australia in June 1919 and was discharged on 28th August 1919.

In 1922 he married Ida Kemp in Wollongong.

George died in 1971 and is buried in Wollongong Cemetery.  His service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, WARD GEORGE BENJAMIN