I think I might have identified Charles H. Ward - as has been said, in 1947 he is living at 14 Bird-in-Bush Road with a John Ward and 3 others including a James Montague and a Florence Montague.
I believe that John Ward was his brother and that James Montague was his stepbrother (i.e. not a Ward).
Jumping back a generation, a Charles Henry Ward (b.1880) married a Louisa Montague, widow (nee Leppard) 17/4/1910 Peckham. Louisa had 3 children from her 1st marriage - James Thomas Montague (who I believe is the brother James referred to) born 1904, William Alexander Montague born 1905, George Henry Montague born 1907.
Charles and Louisa then have the following:
Rosina Bessie Ward born 1911
Charles Henry Ward born 2/12/1912 (birth reg'd Mar.1913)
John Ward born 1920 (the 'John' Charles is living with in 1947)
Alfred E. Ward born 1921 (died I think in 1933)
James Thomas Montague married a Florence M E Taylor in Mar.1935 and are, I think, the James and Florence Montague living with Charles H. Ward and John Ward in 1947.
Charles Henry Ward married a Gladys L M Lawrence Dec.1937 Camberwell
A daughter with the name already mentioned born 1939 Lambeth - however, I cannot find a son with the name mentioned under Ward/mmn Lawrence at all!
Maybe as a result of Charles ending up a POW the marriage appears to end (though cannot see a record of a divorce) which explains why he appears with no wife in 1947 and they both subsequently remarry.
Charles H. Ward remarries to a Winifred Jane Ralph in Jun.1948 and they have 5 (possibly 6) children.
Gladys L M Ward (nee Lawrence) remarries to a Joseph W. Herd Mar.1947 Lewisham
Charles Henry Ward born 2/12/1912 died Oct.1987 Greenwich
As mentioned earlier, I cannot find an obvious birth entry for the son referred to but think the daughter marries a man with the surname 'Friend' in Sept.1960 Lewisham. They appear on 2002 electoral roll living in Maidstone and there is an entry with his initials in the BT current telephone directory at that same address. Possibly 2 daughters but can't be sure.
With his second wife Charles had at least 4 daughters and a son between 1949 and 1954 (found an online tree that states 4 daughters and 2 sons? so possibly another son born in different area - tree also shows dau. born 1939 but name of her mother left unknown). Tree also has a photo of Charles Henry Ward.
Whilst we can't know the exact reason 'why' it's a sad outcome re. his first marriage and aforementioned daughter born 1939.
What do others think here? If you agree with my findings what should we do next? The fact that his first wife is not even named on the tree makes me wonder if there was some kind of friction re. his 2 families and although these photos refer to their father the offspring of the second marriage may well not be interested in photos send to their father by his first wife! Perhaps the contact should be with his first born daughter who, from available records, would appear to be living in Maidstone and in her late 70's (if I have identified her marriage correctly).
Sorry if the more recent findings sound a bit 'cloak and dagger' but cannot give full names as these people are still living.
The events I have listed all took place in Camberwell unless otherwise stated.
Annette
