[1] Whilst working in this capacity, Ward became the first Secretary of the Sheffield Labour Representation Committee, on which he represented the Amalgamated Society of Engineers,[2] later becoming Chair.
[3] A major political interest was his campaign against infant mortality, calling for increased supervision of midwives and the milk supply and for education of mothers.
In September 1900, he founded the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers,[7] recognised as the first working class rambling club,[8] with a walk around Kinder Scout.
[11][12] In 1902, Ward produced the first edition of the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers Club Handbook which was then a four-page card with the details of nine summer rambles accompanied by one poem.
An area of Lose Hill, in the Peak District, was given to him by the Association in 1945 and named "Ward's Piece"; he subsequently presented this to the National Trust.