War Medal : Private A E Ward, 61 Battalion

British War Medal 1939-45 with recipient's details impressed on edge.

Medals issued to N297435 Private Arthur Edgar Ward. Arthur Ward was born in Uralla, NSW on 26 September 1911 was living in Kentucky NSW when he enlisted on 10 March 1942. He joined 61 Battalion and served with them at Milne Bay in 1942-3 and Madang in 1943; and was killed in action on South Bougainville on 1 April 1945.

The War Diary states that 13 Platoon established an ambush point at Matthew's Junction and at 8.30am they sighted and shot at two Japanese troops, who escaped. The patrol followed, killing one and wounding another, who escaped into scrub. While Private Ward, who was acting as sentry, was searching the dead Japanese, the wounded soldier shot and killed him, stole his Owen gun and escaped. Ward was the only casualty that day.

Arthur Ward's younger brother Gordon also served, under service no N297433, and was also in 61 Battalion. He attained the rank of corporal. They were very close according to his niece, Fay, and he was very upset about his brother's death so close to the end of the war. Ward's name is mentioned in a 61 Battalion Remembrance Service for the 12 men killed in action during the Bougainville campaign, held on the 12 June 1945.

His niece remembers as a young child being in her aunt's home in Sydney when the telegram arrived telling of Arthur's death; all his sisters happened to be there at the time. She said there were lots of tears. The letters of Arthur Ward are held in the Memorial as PR05110.