Last soldier given Victoria Cross by Queen honoured

One of the last soldiers to be presented with the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria herself has been honoured at a special event.

Pte Charles Ward, of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was hailed a hero for delivering a message requesting reinforcements while under enemy fire during the Second Boer War in June 1900.

Ward, from Leeds, was presented with the medal at Windsor Castle in December 1900 - just a few weeks before Victoria's death on 22 January 1901.

On Friday, Ward's grandson Mick Ward attended an event at Leeds Library to remember his relative, describing it as "a celebration of that moment within the context of his wider life".

"It's a way of understanding my own dad being brought up the son of a hero, but also an expectation of thinking, what can you do to contribute to make the world a better place?," he said.

"What you're prepared to do for your mates, your comrades still sends an important message today."

Pte Ward was born on 10 July 1876 in Hunslet, and joined the army when he was about 21 years old.

While serving in South Africa, during the Boer War, his group, many of whom were wounded, were surrounded by enemy fighters.

Ward volunteered to run "through a hail of bullets" from their position to a signal station to send a message for help, his grandson explained.

Upon his return to the group he was shot in the arm, but survived and was treated back home at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI).

He was among a group of five men who went to Windsor Castle to receive their medals from Queen Victoria.

Ronnie Walsh, volunteer archivist with West Yorkshire Archives, organised the event after finding Ward's name on a patient ledger for Leeds General Infirmary.

He has now researched Ward "within an inch of his military and civilian life", he said,

"It's been really important, not just for me, because I feel like I've gotten to know him, really, really well, but I've also gotten to know his family."

According to Mick Ward, his grandfather "had a complicated life" and died on 30 December 1921 at Glamorgan County Asylum in Wales, aged just 45.

The event, sponsored by local glazing firm HIPCO who heard Ward's story, included a talk by Walsh and was attended by family, historians and military personnel.

Ward's military jacket, with a bullet hole in the sleeve, and patient notes were also on display.

Colin Cranswick, regimental secretary for the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Rifles Regimental Association said the occasion "meant a lot to the city".

"It's our history, it's our ancestry and we're very, very proud of it," he said.

"I think the fact that it's so recognised still by historians, by the regiment, by the media is a thing to be really proud of," Ward added.

"I'm A Leeds lad. My dad was born in Leeds, my granddad was born in Leeds. I love that solid line of Leeds running through the family."

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