Captain, George William LEDWARD
Aged 24
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George William Ledward was born at 96 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea on 13th July 1890 (3rd qtr 1890 Chelsea 1a:339), son of Charles Arthur and Amy Rose LEDWARD (née HOLWORTHY).
Baptised in St.Luke's Chelsea on 19th August 1890.
1891 census...Aged 9 months, he was at 6 Westgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Charles A LEDWARD [35] of private means, born Birkenhead; his mother Amy R [33] born New York, USA; brother Charles H [2] born London. 1901 census...Aged 11, he was at Honey Hill, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; and brothers Edward F [10] and Richard Boyd [8] both born in Bury St.Edmunds 1911 census...Aged 21, a law student, he was at Sunny Hill, Hardwick Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his widower father; brothers Charles Harold [22] student, and Edward Francis [19] student. His mother had died in 1903. He was Managing Clerk with solicitors Partridge and Wilson of Bury St.Edmunds. The only evidence of a connection with Nowton is his memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church, Nowton |
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He was commissioned in the Territorials on 8th March 1909. Mobilised as Captain in August 1914. He was with "C" Company, 5th Suffolks when they sailed from Liverpool aboard the HMT Aquitania on 30th July 1915. They transferred to a smaller vessel at Mudros and arrived in Gallipoli (at Suvla Bay) on 10th August. After marching two miles inland they spent the night digging trenches. An attack was to be made on heights known as Kavak Tepe and Teke Tepe on 13th, so 163rd Brigade were ordered on the afternoon of the 12th to take Kuchik Anafarta Ova to secure an unopposed overnight march by the rest of the Division. The Suffolks were on the left and directing the attack. There was no artillery support other than guns on the ships off shore. They were met with a ferocious fusilade of machine gun and rifle fire, but advanced 1500 yard before being forced to halt and seek cover in a fenced ditch some 200 yards back from that foremost position. This ditch actually remained their foremost position until the evacuation in December. It was during this episode that Captain Ledward was reported killed.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
