Educated at Eton, John Hubert Ward served as a lieutenant throughout the Boer Wars. In 1901, he became the assistant private secretary to the financial secretary of the War Office and in 1902 he became Equerry-in-Waiting to King Edward VII, attending all official state and social functions. He was Equerry to Queen Alexandra from 1910 to 1926, Extra Equerry to King George V from 1910 to 1936, then to King Edward VIII, and King George VI. Many honors were bestowed upon him:
- 1904, he received a Knight Commandership of the Victorian Order, and became Commander in 1909.
- 1905, he was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, then Officer in 1917.
- 1917, he was also decorated with the second-class Crown of Italy.
- Commander of the Spanish Order of Isabella la Catolica.