Reuben Charles Ward was born in Kite Lane, Ditcheat, Somerset on the 8th September 1889. His mother and father were Sarah Ann (maiden name Brine) and Christopher Ward. Reuben was born into a large family having six older sisters and one older brother. His father Christopher was also born in Ditcheat and from the 1891 census was a small farmer and coal haulier; Sarah Ann, his mother, was born in Yarlington. Ten years later, from the 1901 census, the family were stil living in Kite Lane so we must assume that Reuben and his bothers and sisters all went to the local school. Reuben now eleven years old had a younger brother Douglas and a younger sister Hilda. By 1911, Reuben had left home, was still single, and was boarding with the Parsons family in Ansford, Castle Cary. He was working as a wood sawyer in a local wood mill.

Following the start of the war Reuben decided to do his bit and joined the Army at Aldershot on the 12th November

1914. His description on enlistment stated that he was 25

years old, had a fresh complexion, dark brown eyes and

brown hair. He was only 5' 3" tall, weighed 120 lbs, and

consequently, was enlisted as a driver in the Army Service Corps. His service number was T3/028691 and by the 28th January 1915 he had been promoted to Lance Corporal. 

However, as witnessed throughout his time in the army, he had a problem with discipline. By the 10th February 1915 he had been deprived of his rank for misconduct; on the 3rd March, same year, he was sentenced to seven days in the clink, again for misconduct. Returning to duty on the 10th March he seemed to stay out of trouble apart from catching German measles in May and spending 10 days in hospital.Eventually, he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 24th August 1915. He served in France and Flanders and qualified for the 1914/15 Star. 

We have no idea of his movements while serving in Europe but we do know that he was sent to Italy on the 12th November 1917 as part of the British force which was sent to support the Italian army who were struggling against the Austrians. In Italy he was part of the 190th Company, 23rd Division Horse Transport section of the Army Service Corps. Each such Company would be responsible for approximately 75 horses, carts, wagons, even a number of bicycles, and would support an infantry Brigade by carrying all the stores and supplies.

Unfortunately, the only information we now have about

Reuben is as a result of his conduct sheet. On the 4th

March 1918 he was suspended 3 days pay for being in a

wine shop during prohibited hours, and on the 24th May he

was sentenced to 14 days number 2 punishment for

"hesitating to obey an order", "insolence towards an officer" and "using obscene language"

The manor of Reuben's death is also very unfortunate and

was the subject of a board of enquiry. Reuben, along with two other drivers, had been drinking in a village close to Breganze, which is about 55 miles north west of Venice

Walking back to base at night on the left hand side of the road, they were about to cross a bridge over the Astico river when 5 Italian lorries drove past them at quite a considerable speed. One of the lorries hit Reuben a glancing blow to the head, knocking him to the ground; none of the five lorries stopped. He was quickly taken to a local hospital by another Italian lorry but died of his injuries.

The other two British drivers were adamant that Reuben

was not drunk and was steady on his feet. His date of death is recorded as Sunday 14th July 1918, he was 30 years old.

Reuben's family received a war gratuity of £35. 2 shillings and 7 pence which was paid on the 9th December 1918

This was divided into seven equal parts and sent to his

brothers Douglas and Walter (who was a Lance Corporal),

and his sisters Adelaide, Elizabeth, Ethel, Susan and Hilda.

A further war gratuity of £17. 10 shillings was paid on the 19th December 1919; this was divided between Walter

Douglas and Adelaide but the majority, over £12, went to

Adelaide. In addition to the 1914/15 Star, Reuben qualified for The War Medal and The Victory medal. We believe these were sent to his father Christopher who sadly had passed away 1 month before, Sarah his Mother had also had also passed away some years earlier hence the receipt of the Medals was acknowledged by Christopher sister Marine which has led to the error in the details

.Reuben is Remembered with Honour at the Montecchio

Precaicino Communal Cemetery

Kim Ward