The Airmen's Stories - P/O J L Ward

John Lewis Ward, from Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan was born on 19th January 1916, the son of Dr. Ernest Lewis Ward MRCP, MRCS (1880-1940) and Dr. Florence Ann Ward MB, Ch.B (1880-1944).

JL Ward joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 3 FTS South Cerney and arrived at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 31st August 1940. After converting to Hurricanes Ward was posted to 32 Squadron at Acklington on 21st September 1940. He was posted to 145 Squadron on 31st October 1940.

His subsequent postings are not currently known but by early 1942 he was serving with 127 Squadron at St.Jean airfield near Acre (modern Acco) in Palestine.

He was killed in Hurricane I Z4070 which collided with W9140 near Haifa during a practice formation flight on 20th March 1942. W9140 was flown by 2/Lt. Charles Henry Gielink (SAAF) who was also killed.

Ward is buried in Khayat Beach War Cemetery, Israel.