Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Frezenberg Ridge’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal R. Ward, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) and Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry), for his conspicuous gallantry south of Potijze on 13 May 1915, when, whilst acting as ‘runner’, carried messages from the front line to the supporting trench across open ground swept by heavy enemy artillery fire

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2346 L.Cpl. R. Ward. 2/D. Gds.); 1914 Star, with clasp (2346 Pte. R. Ward. 2/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2346 Sjt. R. Ward. 2-D. Gds.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4) £1,800-£2,200

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916 (citation published 11 March 1916):
‘For conspicuous gallantry in carrying messages from the first line to the supporting trench across the open under heavy shell fire. He also communicated with the unit on the flank, and in doing so was exposed in the open to heavy shell fire owing to the trench between the two units having been destroyed.’ (Annotated Gazette states '13th May 1915 - Ypres').

Rufus Ward was born in Croydon, Surrey, in 1889, and attested for the Corps of Dragoons on 15 August 1908, being posted to the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays). He served with the 2nd Dragoon Guards during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914, and was almost certainly present at Nery on 1 September 1914, where the machine gun section of his regiment supported ‘L’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery during its legendary action. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his conspicuous gallantry south of Potijze on 13 May 1915, when, whilst acting as ‘runner’, he carried messages from the front line to the supporting trench across open ground swept by heavy enemy artillery fire. Following this action, his already depleted Regiment could only muster 175 all ranks, having lost 30 killed and 32 wounded. Having transferred to the 1st Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) Squadron, on its formation in February 1916, Ward suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh and was discharged on account of his wounds on 17 January 1919, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. He died at Croydon on 12 February 1952.

Rufus Ward married Louisa Violet Anderton in 1916. Their son, Rufus Arthur Ward, served during the Second World War as a Spitfire pilot with No 66 Squadron, and was killed in action during the Battle of Britain on 8 October 1940, when his Spitfire was shot down by an Me.109 over Kent. He had one kill and two possible to his credit.

Note: Ward’s M.I.D. is unconfirmed; however, ‘Croydon and the Great War - The Official History of the War Work of the Borough and its Citizens from 1914 to 1919’, has the following entry for Ward:
‘Ward, Rufus, Sgt. M.G.C:- Mention in Despatches (Thrice), D.C.M.’

1 of only 14 D.C.M.s awarded to the 2nd Dragoon Guards for the Great War.