1697

Captain the Honourable John Ward 1916

Half-length, slightly to the left, looking to the right, wearing dress uniform with decorations

Oil on canvas, 95.3 x 71.1 cm (37 ½ x 28 in.)

Inscribed lower right: P. A. de László / 1916. / II. 24.

Laib L7857(58) / C27(15) Mr. Ward

NPG Album, 1913-15, p. 96

Sitters’ Book II, f. 2: John H. Ward. Febry 19th. 1916.

Private Collection

Though dated 1916, the sitter’s family believe this portrait was not completed until 1919, after de László’s exoneration and release from internment during the First World War. Such was the speed of the artist’s work, however, this would seem unlikely as he could complete a portrait of this type in one or two sittings of two to three hours.

De László painted the sitter’s wife in 1922 [3408], her mother Mrs. Whitelaw Reid [6799], and a double portrait of their sons, Edward and Alexander in 1927 [3412]. The artist also made portrait drawings of the sitter’s elder brother, the 2nd Earl of Dudley [3400] in 1914 and of his son, Viscount Ednam [2843] in 1917, both in service dress.

The Honourable John Hubert Ward was born 20 March 1870, the second son of William, 1st Earl of Dudley. He was a Lieutenant in the 4th Worcester Battalion, then ADC to Major General J. P. Brabazon, commander of the Imperial Yeomanry in the South African War, 1899-1900. During the First World War the sitter was Deputy Assistant Adjutant General of Headquarter Staff and chief press censor. He became Extra Equerry to King George V 1910-36, and to Queen Alexandra 1910-25. Later he was Extra Equerry to King Edward VIII in 1936, and to King George VI from 1937. 

In 1908 he married Jean Templeton Reid, daughter of the Honourable Whitelaw Reid, American Ambassador to London and his wife Elisabeth Mills of New York. They had two sons, Edward (born 1909) and Alexander (born 1915). The family divided their time between their London home and their estates in Berkshire and in Perthshire, Scotland. He was a member of the Turf Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Cowes Club.

The sitter died on 2 December 1938.

MD 2017