William John Ward (SN 1785) born in Melbourne, was a 31 year old postal employee when he enlisted in Ballarat on February 17th 1916. Initially posted to the 39th Infantry Battalion he embarked from Melbourne on April 4th aboard the Euripides and sailed to Egypt where he was transferred to the 57th Battalion. He was moved to France in September and attached to the 58th Battalion. In May 1917 he suffered shell shock but was able to rejoin his unit a week later. In July 1918 he was recalled to England where he completed his service at the 14th Training Battalion. He returned to Australia aboard the Miltiades, disembarked at Melbourne on August 5th 1919 and was discharged on September 28th .