James Allen Ward
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James Allen Ward (June 14, 1919 – September 15, 1941) was a New Zealander recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 22 years old, and a sergeant in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, serving with 75 (NZ) Squadron, Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
He was gaining experience as a co-pilot on the squadrons Vickers Wellington bombers flying out of RAF Feltwell in Norfolk when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 7 July 1941 after an attack on Munster, Germany the Wellington (AA-R) in which Sergeant Ward was second pilot was attacked by a German night-fighter. The attack opened a fuel tank in the starboard wing and caused a fire at the back of the starboard engine.
The skipper of the aircraft having told him to try to put out the fire, the sergeant crawled out through the narrow astro-hatch on the end of a rope from the aircraft's emergency dinghy. He kicked or tore holes in the aircraft's fabric to give himself hand and foot-holes. By this means he got to the engine and smothered the flames with a canvas cover. Although the fuel continued to leak with the fire out the plane was now safe. His crawl back over the wing in which he had previously torn , was more dangerous than the outward journey, but he managed it with the help of the aircraft's navigator. Instead of the crew having to bail out, the aircraft made an emergency landing at Newmarket.
He was killed in action, Hamburg, Germany, on 15 September 1941.
The recommendation for a VC was a matter of discussion at the time, senior RAF officers questioning whether a VC was appropriate since his actions had some aspect of self-preservation.
A wooden model aircraft he was making when called up is on display at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum's Ohakea wing.
On 3 March 2006 Ward's VC and other service medals which had been in the custody of the RNZAF were formally handed back to his family.
[edit] External links
- Sergeant J.A. Ward in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
- Ward J.A.
- New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross (brief biography details)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
