b. 1832 Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. d. 23/11/1872 Longford, Ireland.
Joseph Ward (1832-1872) is sadly another recipient of the Victoria Cross of whom very little is known. He was born sometime in 1832 in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, and joined the 8th Hussars in the Crimea on 14th July 1855. His promotion through the ranks was swift, and he was a Sergeant by the time of the incident at Gwalior on 17th June 1858.
Joseph Ward VC Grave
The enemy were advancing on the position of Brigadier Smith, when a charge was organised by a squadron of the 8th Hussars in conjunction with the 95th Regiment of Foot managed to rout them. They then charged through the rebel camp and captured two of the enemy guns despite heavy fire from the Fort and the town.
Following being selected for the VC by fellow NCOs, Ward was presented with his medal on 18th June 1859 in India by the GOC Bombay, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Somerset. Little is known about what happened to him after this, except that he returned to Ireland, and died on 23rd November 1872 in Longford. He was buried in St John’s Churchyard, Longford, with a headstone erected by members of the regiment. His medals are not publicly held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NOT PUBLICLY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: ST JOHN’S CHURCHYARD, LONGFORD, IRELAND.
Acknowledgement:
Trevor Gray – Image of the Joseph Ward VC Grave.