Charles Ward (VC)

Charles Burley Ward VC was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, on 10 July 1877. He enlisted in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in April 1897 and was serving as a private in the 2nd Battalion during the Second Boer War.

On 26 June 1900, at Lindley, South Africa, Ward’s picquet was surrounded on three sides by about 500 Boers. The situation was desperate: both officers had been wounded, and nearly all the men had been killed or wounded. Reinforcements were urgently needed, but the signalling station lay about 150 yards behind the post, across ground swept by enemy fire. Ward volunteered to carry the message. His offer was first refused because it seemed almost certain he would be shot, but he insisted and was allowed to go.

He crossed the open ground under heavy fire and successfully delivered the message. Then, instead of remaining in safety, Ward voluntarily returned across the same fire-swept ground to report to his commanding officer that the message had been sent. On the way back he was severely wounded, but his courage helped save the post from capture. For this act of bravery he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Ward later rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major and also served during the First World War. He holds the distinction of being the last Victoria Cross recipient personally decorated by Queen Victoria.

Charles Burley Ward died at Bridgend, Glamorgan, on 30 December 1921. He was buried with full military honours in St Mary’s Churchyard, Whitchurch, Cardiff.

Medal line: VC, QSA with clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State, British War Medal, Victory Medal.