Irvine Walter Ward was born in Creswick, Victoria, was single and a labourer living with his mother, Mrs M A Ward of Howitt Street, Ballarat, Victoria when he enlisted with the 8th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement on 10 May 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 16 July 1915. He was suffering from gonorrhoea, which resulted in his admittance to hospital multiple times throughout 1915 and the first half of 1916. In August of 1916 he was wounded in action whilst serving in France and was able to re-join his unit the following month on 22 September 1916. The remainder of his service went without major incident, illness or injury, other than one instance of overstaying his leave, for which he was awarded forfeiture of 1 day's pay. He returned to Australia per the HMAT Macquane on 28 march 1919.
Tree No. 3435