Around 1938 he became a partner in a Darwin legal practice, and in 1947 won election to the first Northern Territory Legislative Council, although he did not stand for re-election in 1949.
He spent some years in Adelaide before returning to the Northern Territory and the Legislative Council in 1956.
He returned to the Legislative Council, winning the seat of Ludmilla, which he held until 1974.
[1] Dick Ward Drive, which runs between Parap and Nightcliff.
[3] Ward Road in the Litchfield area was named for Mary Alice Ward, teacher and pastoralist who, with her husband, developed Banka Banka cattle station, north of Tennant Creek.