Remembered Today: Gunner Edwin Henry WOODWARD

1st South Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who died on 25th December 1916, Gloucester Old Cemetery   

The Territorial 1st South Midland Brigade RFA formed part of the 48th Divisional Artillery. The Brigade consisted of the  1st Gloucestershire Battery  and  2nd Gloucestershire Battery (both based in Bristol) and the  3rd Gloucestershire Battery based Gloucester.

In 1914 the Brigade had departed for annual summer camp when they were recalled and mobilised, concentrating in Chelmsford.  The Division embarked  for France in March 1915, the Artillery travelling from Southampton to Le Harve, and concentrated near Cassel, 20km west of Ypres.

On Easter Sunday, 4th April,  1915, the Brigade saw it’s first action at Neuve Eglise, 6 miles NW Armentieres. During 1915 the Brigade was engaged in Messines, Festubert, and the Somme., remaining there for much of 1916. The 1st South Midland Brigade was renumbered 240th Brigade RFA in May 1916. As Gunner Woodward is listed under 1st South Midland Brigade by the CWGC, he may have sustained injuries that would ultimately lead to his death prior to May 1916.

1st South Midland Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Gunner Edwin Woodward died on Christmas Day 1916 and was buried in Gloucester Old Cemetery.

CWGC Information : WOODWARD, EDWIN HENRY

Rank:                         Gunner

Service No:                3221

Date of Death:           25/12/1916

Age                           :20

Regiment/Service:     Royal Field Artillery

                        1st South Midland Bde.

Grave Reference:      NG. 6488.

Cemetery:                  GLOUCESTER OLD CEMETERY

 

Additional Information:

Son of Frank and Emma Woodward, of 18, St. Paul's Rd., Gloucester

 

Edwin Woodward is remembered on the screen wall behind the Gloucester  Cenotaph.