Clive Ward, a Colonel of the British Army and dedicated volunteer for SSAFA, the Armed forces charity, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
Clive (72), born in Hamburg, Germany and currently living in Andover, Hampshire, enjoyed a full career as an army officer rising to the rank of Colonel, followed by a senior Civil Service appointment at Army Headquarters. Clive went to Sandhurst in 1971 and was commissioned into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in 1973. He served with the Queens Own Highlanders, Royal Engineers, commanded 20 Electronic Workshop and was Commander Equipment Support in Northern Ireland for three years. He had several appointments as a colonel and retired from the arm in 2008. He has three children and seven grandchildren.
Clive was introduced to SSAFA by his wife, Leslie. He joined in April 2011 as a volunteer case worker in Test Valley. Eight years later, in 2019, he was appointed Branch Secretary, Hampshire, and then Branch Chair in May 2025, the largest branch in SSAFA with 10 divisions.
A citation for his BEM states:
“He has been outstanding, with an innate gift to bring out the best in people. He has shown courage, determination and integrity. Never afraid to tackle the most complex of problems, he has the ability to work out sensible and pragmatic solutions and progress them through to effective implementation.
“He has won the cooperation and respect of everyone in the organisation; an inspiration, a role model and a constant reminder to all of us as to why we volunteer.
“In summary, his commitment as a volunteer has been exemplary. He has made an exceptional contribution to SSAFA’s activities and values.”
In addition to his SSAFA roles, he has also taken on a range of other voluntary appointments in the local community, including, Parish Councillor, Director of Hampshire Association of Local councils and secretary of the local U3A. In 2022 he was awarded the prestigious Global SSAFA Sir James Gildea Award.
Clive commented:
“I’m very pleased to receive this award. I’m usually the one recommending others for awards so it is great to be recognised. I’ve enjoyed all my work with the charity. A particularly rewarding moment was working with an SSAFA mentor to rehabilitate a young veteran injured in service. We were able to help him find a new job and purpose. Now he’s very successful in a Health and Safety role.”
SSAFA volunteers have been helping the Armed Forces community – regulars and reserves, serving or retired, and their families since 1885. To volunteer or fundraise for SSAFA, or to seek support, search for “SSAFA near me”.
