Ken attended School in Jacksdale, where Mr. Stringfellow was headmaster, and later Mr. Pringle. A keen sportsman, Ken was chosen for both the cricket and swimming teams.

After school, Ken spent a lot of time at the church hall near the cricket ground, where Mr. Storer instructed him in weight lifting, gymnastics and boxing. Later 3 snooker tables were installed and he turned his attention to snooker.

The Co-op also provided entertainment, where Ken and his close friend won a Christmas talent competition.

Ken was a regular attendee at St. Mary’s Church, Westwood, where he was in the choir, and attended the Youth Fellowship with Rev. Ernest Hill and the late Stan Stafford.

Upon leaving school, Ken began work at James Oakes Colliery, on the fitting staff at Pye Hill. He also attended Heanor Technical College.

Ken, along with his friend Bill, was keen to wear a uniform and went to join the full time Fire Station being stationed in Jacksdale. Edsel, his brother, was already serving at Kimberly Station. When Kimberly Fire Service was asked to help Nottingham Brigade, Jacksdale took over at Kimberly.

It was while Ken was serving at Kimberly, he met and married Rene Miller, a telephone operator at the station. They were married at Kimberly Parish Church in 1943. A guard of honour from the station stood outside the church.

Later in 1943, he volunteered for active service in the Royal Air Force, being trained as a bomber rear gunner.

Ken was posted to Lincolnshire, and flew in Lancaster’s.100 Squadron at Waltham, Lincs. Later in 1944 he volunteered, with the rest of the crew, to serve with the Pathfinders 156 Squadron. RAF Upwood.

Ken was due to begin leave, as Rene was expecting their first child in April 1944, but on the fateful night 24^th March his aircraft, JB667, was shot down over Groffbeuthen, Berlin.

Rene received the unwelcome telegram to say that Ken was missing, and just one month later, on 27^th April, gave birth to Kevin. In 1960, the British Legion made it possible for Kevin and Rene to visit the War Graves in Brandenburg, Berlin, a visit they continued to make.

In April 2000, an advertisement appeared in The Nottingham Evening Post, from the Raynor Family of Waltham, Lincolnshire asking the whereabouts of the family of Sgt. Ken Ward, who had spent his last Christmas with the Raynors, and had written two letters of thanks only days before his fateful trip, one to Len Raynor and one to his parents. Len had kept and treasured those letters for 56 years, and knowing Ken had had a son born a month after his death, decided to try and trace him. The outcome resulted in Ken’s son, Kevin, Rene (who still lived at Kimberly and had never remarried) andalso Kevin’s wife, going over to Grimsby to met the lovely Raynor family.

Kevin and his family were given a tour of the area were his father spent time, and visited Waltham Windmill, the home of RAF Grimsby Museum, and was invited to unveil a plaque commemorating the loss of his father. They also received the two letters written by his father and so greatly treasured by Len Raynor.

At the time, it was not realised how poignant and important the timing of the search for Kevin and Rene was, as Rene died in November 2000 only months after visiting Grimsby.

Both Kevin and Rene were touched and grateful to know Ken spent his last Christmas with such wonderful people, who have become an extended family to Kevin.

This is the report that was in the local press.