Often, a complete service record has not survived in the archives. However, it is possible to create a partial picture from other records and sometimes from other soldiers in the same regiment or unit.
These 35 men enlisted on 6th December 1915 to the 3rd Northamptonshire Rgt. On arrival in France, they were transferred to the 10th Sherwood Foresters. Of this group of 35, 12 lost their lives in France.
The final part of Arthur Ward’s story covers his return to civilian life — a time of hardship, resilience, small joys, and enduring health problems from his wartime injuries. Through employment struggles and union activism, Arthur navigated the uncertainties of interwar Britain.
In this second instalment, Arthur’s experiences on the Western Front intensify. Facing the horrors of the German Spring Offensive and a devastating gas attack in August 1918, this chapter tells of survival, resilience, and recovery against overwhelming odds.
This is the story of my grandfather, Arthur Ward — a Northampton delivery boy turned First World War soldier. His journey from the quiet streets of Northampton to the trenches of the Western Front offers a personal glimpse into a generation of young men swept up in history’s deadliest conflict. In this first instalment, we follow Arthur’s early life, enlistment, and his first experiences at the front.