RICHARD FOWLER WARD

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: December 1902, at 40, Berners Street, Ipswich.

Died: 5th May 1941; age: 38; killed at No. 24 (London) General Hospital during the Belfast Blitz.

Residence: Ipswich.

Occupation: Medical Practitioner and Honorary Surgeon.

Rank: Major; Service Number: 41352.

Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 20 General Hospital.

Buried on the 9th May 1941. 

Grave Reference:

Glenalina Extension A.S. 99.

Belfast City Cemetery,

County Antrim,

Ireland.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Frank Fowler Ward & Florence Emily Ward, of Ipswich; husband of Mary Lilian Ward, of Ipswich.

CENSUS

1911   40, Berners Street, Ipswich.

Richard was 8 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Frank Fowler Ward, 40, a Medical Practitioner – own account – at home, born Blackfordby, Leicestershire.

Florence Emily Ward (nee King), 38, born Northborough, Lincolnshire.

John Fowler Ward, 9, born Ipswich.

May Elizabeth Ward, 5, born Ipswich.

Dorothy Fowler Ward, 3, born Ipswich.

1 governess.

1 housemaid.

1 cook.

1921   123, St. George’s Square, London.

Richard was 18 years and 7 months old. He was a full-time Medical Student and boarder.

In 1921, Richard’s parents and siblings lived at the family home – Craigerne, Cauldwell Avenue, Ipswich.

Richard was educated at Ipswich School. He was known at school by the nickname ‘Doctor.’

Richard’s father was a Freemason. In 1908, he became a member of the British Union Lodge, Ipswich.

In 1931, Ipswich, Richard married Mary Lilian Turner, a physiotherapist, born May 1905, Ipswich – daughter of Frederick William Turner, an engineer and company director of Messrs. E.R. & F. Turner Ltd., Flour Milling Engineers, and Mary Evelyn Turner (nee Knight), of 18, Burlington Road, Ipswich. In 1924 – 25, Frederick Tunrer served as Mayor of Ipswich. 

Mary and Richard had two children.

Probate to Lilian Mary Ward – widow.

Richard is also remembered on the Ipswich School Chapel war memorial.

A very beautiful window was dedicated on 12th April 1947 at St. Clement’s Church, by the Rev. P.B.Clayton, C.H., M.C., in memory of Richard Fowler Ward, M.B., F.R.C.S.

http://www.ipswichschoolmuseumandarchives.co.uk

Richard’s widow, Mary Lilian Ward, died in October 2003, at Felixstowe, Suffolk. In May 2004, her cremated ashes were interred at Richard’s grave at Glenalina, Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast.

Campbell College, British Military Hospital, 4th/5th May 1941.

Campbell College was evacuated in 1940, and the buildings at the Belmont campus became Number 24 (London) General Hospital. The school’s changing rooms became Operating Theatres and X-Ray Rooms. Baths were installed in the classrooms, and over 34000 Servicemen were treated here by October 1945. On the night of 4th/5th May 1941, the Hospital was bombed, 19 Doctors and Patients were killed.

In February 1946, it was returned to civilian use as a school, and in 2001, the last of the Nissen Huts, which had been erected in the grounds as wards, was removed.