Ralph Joseph Inwards

Ralph was born on 15th March 1875 in Southwark,London and was the son of Benjamin an omnibus driver and Isabella Emma Inwards (née Gibson) of 58 Chatteris Square, Newington, Southwark. On 4th April 1875 together with his sister Kate Emma born 1874 both were baptism at St George the Martyr Church in Southwark. The record show his father Benjamin was a coachman and his wife Isabella lived at 113 Old Kent Road. Ralph had another sister Eugine born in 1882. In the 1901 census his parents were living at 58 Chatteris Square,Southwark, London , his mother died in 1910 and in the 1911 census his father is still living at 58 Chatteris Square, but dies in 1914. Ralph does not appear on the 1901 census , however he must have moved up to Newark because in the 1911 census we find him as a boarder, 35 years of age and single, working as an engineers shaper, living at 18 Nicholson Street, Newark. During the same year 1911 he marries his wife Fanny Matilda Turner. They have two children Kathleen Mary born 1913 and Joan born 1915 and live on Beacon Hill, Newark and following his death the family are living at 8 cross Street, Newark.

Sergeant Ralph Inwards enlisted in Lincoln and served with the 1st battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. His medal index card shows he disembarked in France on 22nd October 1914. He died of wounds received on 28th march 1915 at the 84th Field Ambulance and is buried in Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium grave reference E 21.

On 28th March 1915 , the revered E F Campbell , Chaplain, 84th Field Ambulance wrote to his widow Fanny, " He was very badly wounded in the stomach in the trenches last night , and was brought into this field ambulance this morning. Poor fellow, he was very far gone when I saw him. He asked me had he any chance and I told him. Then he said " Ah, then it can make no matter , let me have a drink of water" We gave him some. He then gave me your address and asked me to write , and said three times over ' " I love them" He never spoke after that but I held his hand and he went off at just a quarter past 12... Oh, Mrs Inwards, I cannot tell you how sorry I feel for you , and I know how much I sympathise with you in your great trouble. he died a hero's death but I know that thought won't comfort you at first. And the only comfort I can give you is the thought that always comes to me when friends and dear ones are called home. And that is the thought of the Resurrection morning when we all shall meet again." Article published 7th April 1915 in the Newark Advertiser :- Son of late Mr & Mrs B. Inwards of London. Husband of Fanny M. Inwards, 8 Cross Street, Newark. A London man, he joined the army when he was 19 and served 9 years in India and two in South Africa. Proceeding to the latter country when the blockhouse scheme started. Had worked for seven years at Messrs. Ransome & Co. before re-enlisting in the 1st Lincolns when war broke out. Had been at Grimsby two months when drafted to France with the rank of acting-sergeant. During the four months he had been at the front, he only left the trenches for periods of two days at a time. In December he had a narrow escape, his pack being shot through four times. A little afterwards he was struck in the shoulder by a piece of shrapnel (which he carried about with him for some time). Badly wounded in the stomach on the night of 27th March, died at the 84th Field Ambulance at quarter past twelve in the afternoon, the following day. Only brother of Mrs E. Overell, Victoria Street, Newark. Leaves two children, the youngest being only six weeks old. His brother-in-law: John William Turner was killed in 1917.