Name
Ernest Woodall (Alias Ernest Goodall)
26/02/1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/08/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
7277
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HAUTRAGE MILITARY CEMETERY
I. E. 8.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
"THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT"
UK & Other Memorials
London Colney War Memorial, London Colney Roll of Honour
Pre War
Ernest WOODALL (alias GOODALL) was born on 26th
February 1882, in Stillingfleet, Yorkshire, son of George William Woodall a
Joiner/Carpenter and Annie Elizabeth Woodall (nee Wilson). One of their seven
children.
He was Baptised on 15th March 1882, in the Parish
of Stillingfleet, Yorks.
1891 Census records Ernest aged 9, at school, living with
his parents, two brothers, and four sisters, at 27 Highfield Street, Holbeck,
Yorks.
No 1901 Census was found for Ernest. His parents, brother
Oliver (14), sisters Annie (23), Rebecca (16) and Ruth (12), were living at 14
South Mount Terrace, Holbeck, Yorks.
Ernest enlisted at Halifax, on 22nd October 1902,
aged 20, under the alias Ernest Goodall for 3 years with the colours and 9
years in the reserve, in the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment),
issued with the service number 7277.
In February 1904, Ernest was posted to India with the Duke
of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment). In August 1905, while in India he
extended his service to 8 years, with the colours. While in India he served
with the 2nd and then the 1st Battalions,
Ernest returned to the UK on 7th January 1911,
discharged on 11th January 1911, on completion of his service and
transferred to the Army reserve.
1911 Census records Ernest as Ernest Woodall aged 29, as a
boarder with George and Georgina Taylor (believed to be his uncle and aunt) in
Osgodby, Nr. Selby, Yorkshire.
On 12th January 1912, he re-engaged for one year
and served with the 3rd Battalion. In July 1912, he is recorded as
attending the annual reservist training course at Strensall Army Camp in North Yorkshire.
Wartime Service
On 5th August 1914, Ernest was mobilized for war
service. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West
Riding Regiment), on 6th August 1914, with his old service number
7277. He disembarked at Le Havre, France on 14th August 1914. The
Battalion was soon in action at Le Cateau, and then the retreat from Mons, were
the Battalion suffered heavy casualties Ernest being one of them, he was Killed
in Action around Saint-Ghislain in Belgium, on 23rd August 1914,
aged 32. He is buried in Hautrage Military Cemetery in Belgium. Grave Ref: I.
E. 8.
Additional Information
His effects of £3-04s-02d, pay owing and his war gratuity of
£5, went to his aunt Georgina Taylor his sole legatee. His aunt also received
his Medals, the 1914 (Mons) Star with Clasp, British War and Victor Medals.
George and Georgina Taylor were the landlords of The Swan
Inn, London Colney, Herts, from 1912, this is the only known connection to
London Colney Ernest has.
The 1921 Census records George and Georgina Taylor as the
Landlords of The Swan Inn, London Colney.
It is not known who requested his Headstone inscription
“THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
