The Airmen's Stories - S/Ldr. E F Ward

(The Honourable) Edward Frederick Ward was born on 20th November 1907, the third son of the 2nd Earl of Dudley.

A twin brother, George, was also born. He served in the RAF but not in the Battle.

Above: Luckily the caption tells us which was which.

EF Ward was sponsored by King Edward VII, educated at Eton and entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the 10th Hussars in July 1926.

He joined 601 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force in November 1930 and was granted a short service commission in the RAF in February 1932. His first posting was to 57 Squadron at Upper Heyford.

Above: Ward at 601's private club, the 'Old Ship' at Bosham, Sussex.

He went on to 811 Squadron on 11th August 1933, based at Gosport and then embarked on HMS Furious.

Ward joined the staff at RAF Gosport on 17th October 1934 and remained there until 11th February 1937 when he went on to the Reserve.

He was recalled to full-time service on 26th August 1939.

After being attached to 601 Squadron at Tangmere on 28th July 1940, Ward took command on 10th August but he was posted away to the Tangmere Sector Operations Room on the 19th.

He married Pauline Katherine Winn at Leeds Church, Kent in December 1940 (below).

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Group Captain.

Postwar he was chairman of a metals company.

Ward died on 2nd April 1987.