Name
John Woodward
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/10/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
28442
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 48 to 50 and 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth UDC Memorial,
St Peter's Church Roll of Honour, Mill End,
St. Peter's C & E Primary School Memorial, Mill End,
Harefield Memorial (possibly)
Pre War
John Woodward was born in 1891 and baptised on 11 March 1894 in Rickmansworth, son of John, a labourer, and Jane Woodward. The family were living in Uxbridge Road, Mill End with John’s father an engine driver at a tannery.
John would have attended St Peter’s School in Mill End. In 1911 they were living at Tannery Cottage, Uxbridge Road. John’s father was working as a stationery engine driver at a mineral works and John was working as a carman. One younger brother was a labourer and the other a messenger boy, whilst his younger sister was at school.
The likely marriage of John Woodward is to Florence Richardson in Tendring Essex in 1914. They later lived in Harefield and had a son, Herbert John Woodward.
Wartime Service
John Woodward enlisted at Harefield and was killed in action.
The War Diaries for the Bedfordshire Regiment describe the how the 30 October 1917 saw the first day of action in the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele with the attack starting early in the morning. The attack was held up by heavy and boggy ground and a total advance of only 150-200 yards was made. Over 50 other ranks were killed and over 200 wounded or missing.
Additional Information
His effects of £11 16s 5d and a War gratuity of £9 10s were left to his widow, Florence.
Acknowledgments
Pat Hamilton
Malcolm Lennox
