Notes
Recovered 31.07.2023 from https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/3113253/kate-bessie-ward/
KATE BESSIE WARD Wife of Edward Henry Ward, of Marine Cottage, Esplanade Road. Injured 1 April 1943, at Marine Cottage; died at Royal National Hospital.
Civilian War Dead
Date of Death 02 April 1943 Age 72 years old
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, April 9, 1943 Page 2
DEATH
WARD. - In April, by enemy action, Kate Bessie, beloved wife of Harry Ward, Marine Cottage, Esplanade Road, Ventnor, aged 72 years.
Page 2
Another regrettable death is that of Mrs. E.H. Ward, one of the kindest and least assertive of our older residents. Herself not in good health, her kindness and solicitude for others was always being expressed. She was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Downer, a well-known local character in his hey-day, and continued to live in the picturesque cottage which he acquired in Esplanade Road. Her death severs a link with old Ventnor, and the news will cause deep sorrow, especially in the home of her brother, Mr. Ben Downer, on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.
Page 3
Raid Victims' Funerals
MRS. HARRY WARD.
Sitting at tea when the raiders made their savage attack, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ward made at once for their Morrison shelter. Mrs. Ward had her head and shoulders in the shelter when their house was practically demolished and the rest of her body became trapped. Her husband had not quite reached the shelter and became trapped in a crouching position. Mrs. Ward died soon after she was released several hours later. Mr. Ward escaped with head and facial injuries and was able, at the end of the week, to leave the hospital to which he and his wife were taken. It is pathetic to record that had they remained in their living room Mrs. Ward might have been alive to-day, for this part of the house escaped demolition, and although the tea-table was covered with debris the crockery was not broken. Mrs. Ward was 72 years of age - the same age, but for two months, as her husband. She was a woman of much charm of disposition; a great home lover and one whom to know was to highly esteem. The profound sympathy of his many friends has been extended to the stricken husband, who has for so many years been a popular figure in the town of his adoption. The funeral took place at the Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, the Vicar (Rev. L. K. Morton) officiating. The mourners were E. H. Ward (husband), Mr. A. Ward (brother-in-law), Mr. H. Young, Portsmouth (cousin), and Mr. R. W. Thorpe. Wreaths, etc., were sent as follows: - From her loving husband Harry; Sarah, Tom and Alf (sister and brothers), Beds.; Sarah and family, Tilmersham; Eva, Leslie and Harry (cousins), Portsmouth; Mr. and Mrs. A. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe and family; the Misses Burn; Mrs. P. Minshall; Mrs. Aldwinkle and family (Stamford); Mr. and Mrs. Bates; Mr. Vivian Yorke; Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Blake; Mrs. Williams; Mrs. Bailey and Mrs. Weeks. Mr. A. F. Blake made the arrangements. Mr. Ward wishes to express sincere thanks for the many messages of sympathy he has received, and for the lovely flowers sent.