William Charles Robert Ward was born on the 6th of December 1872 in Lincoln. He was the first of two children born to John Richard Ward, a Locomotive Fireman, and his wife Sarah Jane (nee Lamb).

Sadly, on the 22nd October 1875, when William was only 2 years old, his 25 year old father died, just 4 days after contracting the skin disease Erysipelas⁽¹⁾. For reasons not known, the widow Sarah Jane took William and his brother John Henry to live in Middleton by Wirksworth where she married a 26 year old Stone Merchant called William Killer in November 1876.

With a stated age of 4 years and 0 months, William was admitted to the Middleton by Wirksworth National Junior School on the 11th of December 1876 and to the Senior School on the 26th of April 1880.

When the April 1881 census was taken, 8 year old William and his 6 year old brother were living with their mother and stepfather in Main Street, Middleton and recorded as step-sons. William left school at 14 and began working as a Labourer at the Sawmill of Messrs' Killer Brothers at Hopton Wood, which was owned by his Stepfather William Killer. The April 1891 Census, records William working as an Engine Cleaner at the Sawmill.

On the 11th of February 1893, William was working a night-shift and around midnight was struck by the connecting rod of the steam engine, which knocked him down and stunned him. He continued to work until his shift ended at half-past eight the next morning, then later that day he went to Brassington to play football. During the following days, he began to complain of a pain in the back of his head and started to have frequent fits. He was attended by Dr. Harvey throughout his illness but died at 5pm on the 1st of March. He was just 20 years old.

An Inquest was held on Friday the 3rd of March at the Rising Sun Inn in Middleton. After taking evidence from several witnesses, the Deputy Coroner, Mr S Taylor, recorded a verdict of Accidental Death.

His funeral service and burial took place on Sunday the 5th of March at Holy Trinity church in Middleton.

Notes
(1) Erysipelas - An acute, febrile, infectious disease, caused by a specific group 4 streptococcus bacterium and characterised by a diffusely spreading, deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes causing a rash with a well-defined margin. Also known as Saint Anthony's Fire (from its burning heat or, perhaps, because Saint Anthony was Supposed to cure it miraculously).It is a condition that is now successfully treated with Penicillin but this was 53 years before it was discovered.