Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John H. Lilley writes to Mrs. J. C. Ward, Thorn-street, Ipswich:- "It is with the deepest regret that I write the following, but know that you would be glad to hear what few details I know about Cyril (Lieutenant Cyril C. Ward). On the night of March 1 we attacked a certain German trench. Cyril was lieutenant in command of his company. His company commander (Captain A. O. Woods) was wounded early in the attack, and Cyril carried on, leading his men into the Hun trench, capturing and consolidating it. A number of prisoners were also taken. By this time Cyril was the only officer left with his company. His work throughout was excellent. A few days later we returned from a bit of a rest to hold the same line, and did so for a day or so with practically no casualties. Half an hour before we were relieved (on the 6th) a shell knocked Cyril and five other men. Fragments of the shell struck him in three places. Major Robinson and I saw Cyril at an aid post. He was conscious and cheerful, and said, 'Hullo ! I've bad a bit of a crack.' Our medical officer (who is a real good chap) told me afterwards that his skull was not fractured, and that his spine was not injured. Consequently I was expecting to hear any day that Cyril was in England, doing well, and being well looked after. When we came right back I got into touch with tho field ambulance to see if I could get any further news. They rang up the casualty station at the railhead, which replied that Lieutenant C. C. Ward has died there of shock. I will endeavour to get over to the C.U. station at the first opportunity, and get any further details that are obtainable. All the men in Cyril's company speak of the cool, splendid way he worked in the attack, and later in consolidating, and I believe he was most highly recommended for the work he did. Cyril's death will be a great loss to the battalion, and even more to his special friends. On March 18 Claud Lloyd and I rode over to the casualty station at the railhead to see if we could get any further details about Cyril. We found that Cyril had died in the First South Midland Clearing Hospital on the morning of March 8, about 10 o'clock. 'We saw Sister Lyle, who had attended him. She stated that Cyril arrived there  early on the morning of March 7. He was very cold, and collapsed. One wound had penetrated the lung, another the abdomen, and there was a head wound. Although everything possible was done for him he would not react. The Surgeons would have operated, but owing to the state of his pulse it was impossible. He was a good patient, and always had a smile ready. When he saw other patients being got ready for the hospital train he asked. 'Will I be sent to the base to-day? An hour after this he dozed off to sleep, from which he never awakened. He is buried in the hospital cemetery, which is along side the French civilian cemetery at Denancourt, about three miles south west of Albert. At present there is a little wooden cross erected, but other arrangements will be made as soon as we get right out of the line. Well, Mrs. Ward, to try to express one's feelings is impossible, but we have lost one of the finest chaps who ever breathed."