Born in Hereford, John Ward grew up in the flat above his father’s antique & restoration shop as one of seven children. From 1932 to 1936 he studied at the small Hereford School of Arts and Crafts, establishing a beneficial relationship with the principal of the school who financially supported his education at the Royal College of Art in London. During the Second World War, Ward served under the Royal Engineers and lent his drawing skills to designing billboxes in Kent. After the war he obtained comissions to illustrate for Vogue Magazine from 1948-1952. While teaching at Wimbledon School of Art his volume of work and income expanded as his reputation grew. He produced illustrations for a number of large companies & undertook portraits of royalty, cabinet ministers, city businessmen & celebrities. He became an associate of the Royal Academy in 1956, a full member in 1966, & served as a Trustee from 1985 to 1993.