Lance-Corporal Alfred Ward, 5697, 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action near Wulvergem in Belgium on January 31st, 1915. He was aged 24.

Generally known as Samson, he was the son of Robert and Mary Ward, of 3 East Avenue, Park Street, Luton. His death had been mentioned in letters from friends at the front before the family received official news. They were not told by the War Office where he had been killed.

At the time his father was a National Reservist and his four brothers were serving with the colours. Arthur, with the Irish Fusiliers, had returned from the front wound and with frostbite; Fred, with the 1st Bedfords, was a prisoner of war; James was with the 5th Bedfords at Bury St Edmunds; and John was with the 5th (Reserve) Battalion Beds Regt at Newmarket.

In the 1911 Cesus the family is listed as living at 37 Bailey Street, Luton, and Alfred was working as a general labourer.