In Willington Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Grave of:-
250117 Private
T.W. Ward
Durham Light Infantry
1st December 1918 Age 24
Death Divides
But Memory Clings
He was the husband of Lilian Ward, of 16, Tyne Street Willington.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas William Ward was born at Willington, County Durham in 1894, one of 5 children of whom only 3 survived, he was the youngest of his siblings and the only son. His father James Ward born at Willington in 1858 married in the district of Durham in 1888 to Hannah Fearns of Silksworth, Yorkshire born 1868. He and his father supported the family working as coal miners, in 1911 they were living at 14, Railway Terrace, Willington.
At the age of 18 years 10 months, coal miner Thomas William was attested at Sunderland, November 26th 1912 and assigned to the Durham Light Infantry as Private 11504 joining his regiment at Newcastle upon Tyne, however, he only served for 16 days before being discharged under King’s Regulations 392 (v), his father having paid to the C.O. paymaster or regimental agent the sum of 10 pounds to buy his son out of the services.
On the outbreak of war with Germany on August 4th 1914 he again enlisted joining the Durham Light Infantry as Private 250117 assigned to the 68th Depot Durham Light Infantry. Unfortunately, any documentation as regards his service no longer exists.
During the 2nd quarter of 1916 he married Lilian Goss in the district of Durham, at the time of his death December 1st 1918 they were living at 16, Tyne Street, Willington, County Durham.
Private 250117 Thomas William Ward died, “at home,” exact circumstances and location unknown and was buried with military honours at Willington Cemetery, he was 24 years old. Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His wife commissioned and paid the sum of 7 shillings 11 pence for an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, DEATH DIVIDES BUT MEMORY CLINGS.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas William Ward is remembered at Willington on W120.02.
He is not remembered in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance.
