Ethel Mary WARD. Born 25th February 1920, baptised 4th April 1920 at Barracca Church, Valetta, Malta Died 21st May 1920 aged 3 months
Edna Rose WARD. Born 25th February 1920, baptised 4th April 1920 at Barracca Church, Valletta, Malta Died 27th August 1920 aged 6 months
Twin daughters of Sergeant John Charles James Sellears WARD, Royal Army Service Corps and Mary Ethel, of No 2 Block, Msida Bastion, Floriana, Malta.
Both are at rest together in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta in Plot 1 Row 24 Grave 5.
Details re their father -
Sergeant 14048 John Charles James Sellears WARD. Born in 1885 at Derby, Derbyshire to John Ward and Rebecca Elizabeth nee Sellears. In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings at 99 Sherwood Street, Derby, Derbyshire. 1901 living with his parents and siblings at 37 Raven Street, Derby. He was employed as a fitter, iron turner aged 17. In 1911 he was stationed at Upper Chatham Barracks, Chatham, Kent. Born in Derbyshire in 1884, his occupation with in the army was a traction engine driver with the Army Service Corps, rank, Lance Corporal.
He was married on the 2nd April 1910 to Mary Ethel Roper at St Pauls Church, Derby.
They had the following children -
John William, born in Malta 25th June 1916
Twins
Edna Rose WARD. Born 25th February 1920, baptised 4th April 1920 at Barracca Church, Valletta, Malta Died 27th August 1920 aged 6 months
Ethel Mary WARD. Born 25th February 1920, baptised 4th April 1920 at Barracca Church, Valetta, Malta Died 21st May 1920 aged 3 months
Violet Mabel born 29th August 1921 in Malta.
Some notes from his army records -
He joined the army aged 18 years and 8 months on the 11th April 1903 for 11 years. His occupation prior to enlistment was a fitter. He was posted as Private 14048, Army Service Corps.
1st January 1905 awarded his first Good Conduct Badge. 18th April 1904 appointed unpaid lance corporal. Reduced to private on the 14th November 1905. Made up to unpaid lance corporal on the 19th June 1907. Awarded his second Good Conduct Badge on the 6th January 1908. He was again reduced to private on the 8th July 1908, misconduct. Again appointed as lance corporal 26th April 1910. Extended his service to twelve years with the colours on the 5th October 1910. 24th November 1911 promoted to corporal and then sergeant on the 11th June 1913. He re-engaged 28th March 1914 for the Army Service Corps at Curragh, Ireland, for such time as shall be to complete 21 years service with the colours. He was appointed on the 3rd December 1917 unpaid Acting Company Sergeant Major in Malta with 603 Company, Army Service Corps. On the 31st January 1918 reverts to Staff Sergeant on completion of duties. He reverts to Sergeant on the 19th March 1918 on completion of duties.
His posting over seas and dates -
Malta, 10th February 1906 to 22nd January 1909. -UK- Malta 25th April 1914 to 23rd April 1918. -UK- Egypt 24th May 1918 to 26th May 1918 then to Malta 27th May 1918 to 20th February 1919. -UK- Malta 26th August 1919 to 3rd June 1922 and finally to England. He was discharged to pension from 10th M.T. Coy, 8 B Lines, Bulford Camp, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire.
He died in 1959 aged 74 at Weston super Mare, Somerset.
