Eric Ward
14631237, Private, 1/7th Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment.
Died Of Wounds on the 22nd October 1944 aged 27.
Eric was the only son of George & Florence Ward of 32 Lawrence Avenue. He was known locally as a keen footballer and was employed at ESA in Stevenage. Four of his uncles were killed during the First World War. Eric did not join the Army until 1943.
On the 22nd October 1944 the Battalion was in action as part of Operation “Alan” which was an assault on the town of Middlerode in Holland. The attack commenced at 06.35am and at 07.00 “D” Company was caught by heavy enemy artillery fire.
Eric died from the effects of shrapnel wounds and is buried in the Uden War Cemetery, Holland.