Captain William Ward was "reported wounded" on September 30th, 1916, and it is likely that he was part of the attack on German positions made by the Otago Infantry Regiment during the Battle of the Somme. The Otagos' Official History reports the attack:
A Bitter Experience.
The attack for the 27th, to which the 1st Infantry Brigade was committed, was timed to commence at 2.15 p.m., and at 7 a.m. the preliminary bombardment opened. The 1st Battalion of Otago was again on the left of the attack, and when the barrage came down deployed in the following order: 14th Company on the right; 4th Company on the left; 8th Company in support; and 10th Company moving north along the line of Goose Alley on the left of the attack.
Punctually to time and in good order the Battalion advanced to the attack, and with only a moderate number of casualties crossed the line of Factory Corner-Eaucourt L'Abbaye Road, From this stage the ground fell away abruptly and the attacking troops almost immediately came under a withering blast of fire from enemy rifles and machine guns posted along Gird Trench and Gird Support. The two leading Companies, 14th and 4th, valiantly endeavoured to press on against this hail of fire; but it was only a question of distance when they were literally swept away by it. Every officer and almost every man became a casualty.
William Ward was wounded in the abdomen and buttocks, and it seems his recovery was not an easy one:
Mr W. S. Ward received cable advice yesterday that his son, Captain. William Ward, has again been admitted to the Brockenhurst Hospital, suffering from the gunshot wounds he received some four months ago. -Oamaru Mail, 13/1/1917.
He was repatriated later that year, arriving at Auckland in May.
Personal
Captain Ward, who recently returned from the Front, spent a few days in the district last week, being the guest of Captain Peter Mackenzie, Walter Peak. The two captains went out to Egypt as fellow officers. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 28/8/1917.
Captain W. Ward, has been promoted to the rank of major. Major Ward left Otago University to proceed with the 7th Reinforcements in 1915. He was severely wounded in Somme battle in September, 1916, returning invalided to New Zealand in May, 1917. On his recovery he left the dominion in February last in charge of the 31st Reinforcements, proceeding straight to France, where he has been in the front line ever since. He is now 23 years of age. -Otago Daily Times, 30/9/1918.
William Ward was with the Otagos at Le Quesnoy and returned home for demobilisation in 1919.
MARRIAGE.
WARD — BARGUS — On 16th April, 1920, at St. Luke's Church. by Ven. Archdeacon J. D. Russell, William Ward (Major N.Z.E.F.), son of Mr and Mrs W. S. Ward, Aln street, Oamaru, to Blanche Violet Bargus (Sister of Joseph Bargus, Esq., Ravenswood Rd., Redlands, England. -Oamaru Mail, 1/5/1920.
William was described as a student on his Army forms, and in August of 1920 he was admitted to the Bar as a solicitor.
LEGAL NOTICES.
WILLIAM WARD, BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR
(lately with Messrs Aslin, Brown, and Alloo).
Desires to announce that he has commenced
THE PRACTICE OF HIS PROFESSION
At
PATERSON’S BUILDINGS,
169 RATTRAY STREET, DUNEDIN.
-Otago Daily Times, 16/5/1931.
MR WILLIAM WARD
A well-known Dunedin barrister and solicitor, Mr William Ward, died suddenly in his office yesterday morning. He was born at Oamaru 54 years ago, and was educated at the Waitaki Boys’ High School. Shortly after leaving school he went overseas with the 1st NZEF, rising to the rank of major. He was severely wounded, and was invalided back to the Dominion. He was a member of the Otago Officers’ Club and also the St. Clair Bowling Club. Mr Ward is survived by his widow, one son, Mr William Ward, and one daughter. Mrs Jocelyn Brown, both of Dunedin. -Otago Daily Times, 2/11/1949.
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