Harry Alan Ward
(Source: Keith Blaxill)
10602994, Corporal, 15th Battalion, Reconnaissance Regiment.
Killed In Action on the 17th July 1944 aged 23.
Harry was born in Codicote on the 10th October 1920, the son of William & Beatrice Ward. The family later moved to Stevenage where they lived at 39 Stanmore Road. He was educated at Letchmore Boys School and after leaving school Harry was employed as an apprentice joiner at the ESA factory in the town.
Due to the nature of his job and the fact the factory was then making aircraft wings for the war effort, his attempts to join the Army were deferred until he was aged 21. During this period Harry served in the local Home Guard. He also played football for Stevenage Town and once made a guest appearance for Millwall. When Harry received his call up papers in 1942 he arranged a special marriage licence so that he could marry his fiancée, Olive Hollingsworth, on that day. After his training he served in the UK until the invasion of Normandy on the 6th June 1944.
On the 17th July 1944 his unit was withdrawn to Cheux, in Normandy, for a rest during the assault on Caen. German aircraft attacked and bombed the area and the unit suffered two men killed, one of whom was Harry Ward.
He is buried in the St.Manivieu War Cemetery, France.