Charles Ward (cricketer, born 1875)

Charles Gordon Ward (23 September 1875 — 27 June 1954) was an English first-class cricketer and clergyman.

The son of The Reverend Philip Gordon Ward Vicar, he was born in September 1875 at Braughing, Hertfordshire. Ward played first-class cricket for Hampshire, with his debut coming against Warwickshire in 1897 County Championship. He played first-class cricket for Hampshire until 1901, making fourteen appearances.^[1] In these, he scored 186 runs at an average of 8.08, with a highest score of 30.^[2] With the ball, he took two wickets.^[3] Shortly after playing for Hampshire, Ward undertook ecclesiastical training in Lincoln at the Chancellors School and was ordained in 1903.^[4][5]

Ward undertook his ecclesiastical duties in Heapham, Lincolnshire.^[6] He played minor counties cricket for Lincolnshire from 1907 to 1910, making 29 appearances in the Minor Counties Championship,^[7] making a century against Hertfordshire in 1909.^[8] Ward later returned to Hertfordshire, where he became vicar at North Mymms.^[9] There, he played minor counties cricket for Hertfordshire either side of the First World War, making 34 appearances in the Minor Counties Championship between 1910 and 1922.^[7] He later returned to Lincolnshire, where he was vicar at South Ormsby from 1930 until his death in June 1954.^[10][11] His brother was the sportsman Herbert Ward, who played both first-class cricket and football for Southampton. His cousin, Leonard Ward, was also a first-class cricketer.