Aircraftsman Herbert James Ward Royal Air Force
Imperial Service Medal
The Man Only minimal detail is known about Herbert James Ward. He was born on 6th July 1928 and lived at 42 Portland Road, Taunton. During1942, following its formation on 5th February 1941 and aged 13 Herbert joined 41F (Taunton) Squadron Air Training Corps and with number 369. During the next five years in the ATC he flew in numerous aircraft including a Dominie, Mosquito, Oxford, Dakota and Vengeance, his flying logs recording the aircraft numbers and duration. His occupation was given as General Post Office. On 28th August 1946, aged 18 he left the ATC and enlisted as a National Serviceman into the Royal Air Force with service number 3087652 and being promoted to Leading Aircraftsman. His trade was a Telest and he served in the RAF at Shawbury until his discharge on 6th September 1948. He was released as Class A and relegated to class GI of the reserve. His character was described as very good and his proficiency satisfactory. At the time of discharge he was 5.81/2" tall and his Officer Commanding, Wing Commander E W Anderson said of Herbert
“AC Ward has served in the Royal Air force for two years, the last year and two months of which he served on this unit. He has been employed as a Telephonist and has given valuable and satisfactory service. His character is excellent and he is conscientious. I can recommend him for any work for which he is technically qualified. “
Following his National Service, Herbert re-joined the General Post Office in Taunton, where he remained as a Postal & Telegraph Officer until he retired in 1988 aged 60, although the London Gazette entry says ‘To be dated 30th September 1969’. Little additional detail has yet been found on Ancestry.uk despite having a specific date of birth.
The Story This single medal was of interest as the recipient had been a member of the Air Training Corps during the early 1940s, and with it came some unusual paperwork. It was possible to build up a very brief biography from information contained within the lot, but sadly little extra has yet been found on Ancestry.com.
This group of medals is one I have not been able to find any detail on. They are in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this man.
“AC Ward has served in the Royal Air force for two years, the last year and two months of which he served on this unit. He has been employed as a Telephonist and has given valuable and satisfactory service. His character is excellent and he is conscientious. I can recommend him for any work for which he is technically qualified. “
Following his National Service, Herbert re-joined the General Post Office in Taunton, where he remained as a Postal & Telegraph Officer until he retired in 1988 aged 60, although the London Gazette entry says ‘To be dated 30th September 1969’. Little additional detail has yet been found on Ancestry.uk despite having a specific date of birth.
The Story This single medal was of interest as the recipient had been a member of the Air Training Corps during the early 1940s, and with it came some unusual paperwork. It was possible to build up a very brief biography from information contained within the lot, but sadly little extra has yet been found on Ancestry.com.
This group of medals is one I have not been able to find any detail on. They are in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this man.
Award of Imperial Service Medal
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Herbert Ward's various RAF & ATC flying logs & RAF Cap Badge
Medal Details:
- Imperial Service Medal: Herbert James Ward
This page last updated 2 Feb 14
