Defensively Armed Merchant Ship (DEMS) LIEUTENANT FRANK HOWARD WARD RANVR. Frank Ward was born in London UK on the 9th of July 1902. His occupation was “Engineer” and he listed his next of Kin as his Father Harry. On the 2nd of July 1942 Frank was commissioned in the RANVR as a Sub-Lieutenant for duties for RDF (Radar). He had transferred from the RNVR where he had been appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (E) on the 26th of August 1940. A note on his SC indicates he his RNVR service and that on HMS Moreton Bay as the Ship’s Chief Electrician. Frank served in HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Lonsdale HMAS Maitland, HMAS Magnetic, HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Platypus. He was promoted to Lieutenant in March 1943, when he was in Mailand (For DEMS) Duties. He also served in HMAS Magnetic from late 1943 until 1946 on DEMS duties. He was demobilised on the 7th of January 1947 and returned to his family home in Dee Why NSW. He does not appear to have ever married and he passed away on the 1st of May 1961 aged 58. He is buried in the Mona Vale Cemetery NSW COE Section Row D grave 063.
Sources
Service Record - Australian National Archives
Nominal Roll - Department of Veterans Affairs
