Henry Ward A.R.I.B.A. 1854 - 1927.

Prolific yet almost forgotten Hastings Architect

About Henry Ward

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Obituary from Hastings Observer, 10th September 1927

A GREAT ARCHITECT

DEATH OF MR.HENRY WARD

MONUMENTS TO A DISTINGUISHED CAREER

We deeply regret to record the death at the climax of a long and distinguished career, of Mr Henry Ward, A.R.I.B.A.,the well-known architect
After a long illness Mr Ward died yesterday (Friday) morning, at the age of 73, at his residence, 22 Magdalen-terrace, Bohemia Road, St.Leonards.
Last year Mr Ward underwent an operation, and appeared to recover his health. He was again taken ill on July 5th this year, and after lying in a slowly weakening condition ever since, he passed away yesterday.
Many monuments to the ability and artistic skill of the late Mr. Ward remain to keep alive the memory of a manwho was widely known and respected throughout the town and indeed, in professional circles throughout the country.
Mr Ward began to study art and architecture at the early age of 15 in the office os a well-known London architect. Thence he persued his studies in Paris for some time and eventually returned to London. Never enjoying really robust health, he first came to Hastings for that reason, about 50 years ago.
It was while he was at Hastings on holiday that Mr Ward began his association with Mr Vernon, a celebrated local architect, whom he was eventually to succeed. He entered Mr Vernon's office to help him for a fortnight, and remained there as a valued assistant.
After a very short time he achieveda triumph which established his reputation in the town. He entered the winning design in the competition for the Hastinsg Municipal Buildings, which were constructed to his plans in 1881. The site of this building is a particularly awkward shape to deal with, and there can be no doubt but that the winning design wasa clever piece of planning. It brought the youthful architect recognition in his election as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects - an honour conferred in those days only after some practical success.
After that Mr Ward's success was assured, and as has been said, he succeeded Mr Vernon as principal of the business, which he has carried on for the last 40 years at 8, Bank Buildings. In the years that followed he designed many large buildings and churches, in addition to innumerable residences throughout the south of England, where his reputation was widespread.
Among some of the larger BUILDINGS IN THIS LOCALITY designed by him are the Robertson-street Congregational Church, and the village churches associated with it; the "Observer" building in Cambridge-road; a new front and an additional storey to the Victoria Hotel, St. Leonards: the new Plummer Roddis building in Robertson-street; St. Stephens Church in Bexhill; the Municipal Buildings, Bexhill; and the Congregational Churches in Bexhill and Eastbourne. He has been responsible for the design of many fine buildings at Guildford and Aldershot. A particularly artistic piece of work was the the design of an establishment for Messrs. Blundell Bros., at Luton. Mr Ward has designed all the shops at various southern towns for Messrs. Plummer Roddis Ltd., with the sole exception of their premises at Bournemouth.
The late Mr Ward's skill and artistic ability is too widely known and recognised to need further praise in these columns.
The new Plummer roddis building was the climax of his career. It was one of the finest designs that ever came from his board, and he had spent infinite pains and time in its production. He lived to end his task in that connection, finishing his own part of the work on July 4th. Next day he was taken ill. He had lived to see practically the completion of one of the dreams of his latter years.
Essentially a modest and retiring man, he lived a simple and unassuming life though his genial personality made him a most popular man among a host of friends. He took no part in public or political life, being entirely wrapped up in his home and his professional work.
For many years he was one of the directors of the Hastings Building Society and he represented his profession at the Rotary Club.
He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Mr Henry D Ward, who is almost as well known as his father was, has been associated with him professionally for several years, and will continue the business at Bank Buildings.
The funeral will take place on Monday at the Borough Cemetary, at 1.30 p.m.

 

From a selection of Hastings Street Directories & Census Returns

Pike 1885 page 257: St.Mary's Terrace, 72, Ward H., architect Philips, W.J.
  page 449: Ward H, architect, 8, Bank Buildings . Residence: 72 St.Mary's Terrace
  page 497: Architects and Surveyors Ward, H, 8 Bank Buildings
   
Pike 1901 page 138: 136 (Glengall) Braybrooke Road, Ward, Henry
  page 432:Ward H, architect and surveyor, 8, Bank Buildings . Residence: 136 Braybrooke Road
  page 552: Architects and Surveyors, Ward, H, 8 Bank Buildings
   
Pike 1916 page 455: Ward, H.Esq (A.R.I.B.A.) architects & Surveyor, 8 Bank Buildings. Tele 44y
  page 648: Architects and Surveyors Ward, H., (A.R.I.B.A.) 8 Bank Buildings
  No private address given, no longer listed in Braybrooke Road
   
  Henry Ward died in 1927, but the practice continued
   
   
Pike 1939 page 570: Ward, H. Son and Wray (L. and F.R.I.B.A.) architects & Surveyors, 8 Bank Buildings. Telephone Hastings 1009
  page 900: Architects and Surveyors Ward, H. Son and Wray (L. and F.R.I.B.A.) 8 Bank Buildings
  H D(orrington) Ward, architect, is listed (p570) at 9 Albany Road. He's still listed there in 1950 (p383)
   
Kelly 1950 page 464: Ward Henry & Son, L.R.I.B.A., A.I.Struct.E. architects & Surveyors, 8 Bank Buildings. (Tel 1009)
  page 542: Architects, Ward Hy. & Son A.I.Struct.E. 8 Bank Buildings. Telephone Hastings 1009
   
Kelly 1960 page 549: Architects, Ward Hy. & Partners A.I.Struct.E. 29 Havelock Road. Telephone Hastings 1009
   
Kelly 1972 Nothing listed
   
1911 census

Residents of the Poynings (now 87 Lower Park Road Hastings)

Henry Ward Born Peckham 1853 --- Age 58yrs Architect
Annie Ward Born Greenwich 1860 --- Age 51 yrs Wife
Christine Matilda Ward Born Hastings 1887 Age 24yrs Daughter
Evelyn Annie Ward Born Hastings 1889 - Age 22 yrs Daughter

The Poynings pre-dates Nos. 82 83 84 85 86 Keena House etc. Did he build them? Lower Park Road (formerly 'Park Road' has been renumbered several times)

 


Henry Ward passed away 9th September 1927 and was interred in a family plot in Hastings Cemetary.
   

 

There was Architect called Henry Ward, in the Potteries click here for more info
and another architesct, Henry Ward in Stafford click here for more information

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