fitz_merc Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 I have posted some basic information on here about soldiers who are related to the students I am taking to the Western Front on the 14 October. I have had some unbelievable information from very generous experts on this site. Can anyone wave their magic over the following individual: The following soldier William Ewart Woodhouse 24491 of the South Staffordshire Regiment. 1st/5th. He died on the 3 October 1918 and is buried at Cerisy-Gailly. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 5 minutes ago, fitz_merc said: I The following soldier William Ewart Woodhouse 24491 of the South Staffordshire Regiment. 1st/5th. He died on the 3 October 1918 and is buried at Cerisy-Gailly. Mike B. Cradley Heath, Staffs. 1895. Enl. Brierly Hill. Aged. 23. Killed in Action, Serving with 1/5th T.F. Battalion. Son of Albert and Hannah. Old Hill, Staffs. Husband of Alice Melinda. 44 New St. Quarry Bank, Staffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitz_merc Posted 29 September , 2022 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2022 Thank you - didnt realise he was married Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 (edited) 28 minutes ago, fitz_merc said: Thank you - didnt realise he was married His Medal Index Card shows no date for entering a theatre of war. Looking at near numbers suggests he was called up in late March- early April 1916. Frederick W. Roulston. 24486 attested.11/12/195, and was mobilized/joined 2/4/916 (He appears on an overseas hospital admission list 19/12/1917). George Luther. 24495 joined 31/3/1916 - George O. Aston. 24498 joined 4/4/1916 (Imprisoned as a Conscientious Objector). Edited 29 September , 2022 by GWF1967 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acknown Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 (edited) William was born on 30 Dec 94 in Cradley Heath to Albert William Woodhouse and his wife Hanna, nee Perks. He became a baker's assistant and started his military service on 12 Jan 12 when he enlisted as a boy into the RN. He was trained at HMS Ganges II, then based at Shotley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ganges_(shore_establishment). Nevertheless, William left the service that April when his father bought him out of the RN for £10. The reason is unknown. UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939, via Ancestry. Acknown Edited 29 September , 2022 by Acknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acknown Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 (edited) William's personal effects were sent to his widow: UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 via Ancestry, which shows that he was employed as a signaller in 1/5th Staffs. Acknown Edited 29 September , 2022 by Acknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitz_merc Posted 29 September , 2022 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2022 A baker's assistant, naval boy and Signaller. I even know his height and chest measurements- who needs a Service Record!! Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acknown Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 (edited) William's wife Alice was born on 11 Jul 95, nee Dunn. She married William in Jan 15. In 1939, she was living alone at 44 New Street, Brierley, seemingly she had not remarried. The War Diary of the 1/5th S Staffs (within the 137th (Staffordshire) Brigade of the 46th (North Midland) Division) for the period in which William was killed can be downloaded for free here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14055300. You will see that the battalion was involved in a dawn attack at LEVERGIES that day, an element of the Battle of Beaurevoir (03 – 05 Oct 18). It is reasonable to assume that William was killed or fatally wounded during the day. Acknown Edited 29 September , 2022 by Acknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitz_merc Posted 29 September , 2022 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2022 That is a new battle for me. I shall look at the War Diary. His cemetery was used by the Stationary Hospital on site - so that would support yiour point that he was wounded and died soon after. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancre1917 Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 He may well have been involved in the famous crossing of the St. Quentin canal and the breaking of the Hindenburg line a few days before his death. A visit to the canal between Riqueval bridge and Bellenglise would be well worth your time. The best places to see it are either from the canal bank at Bellenglise near where 1/5 South Staffs attacked, or at Riqueval where 1/6 North Staffs got across. There is also the famous picture of the Staffordshire brigade on the canal bank at Riqueval after their success. This is widely available and makes a good “visual aid”( in old money). He will be somewhere in this, if he hadn’t already been wounded. Richard (ex history teacher) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitz_merc Posted 29 September , 2022 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2022 Thanks Richard. Wonderfully explained I will find this picture. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, fitz_merc said: Thanks Richard. Wonderfully explained I will find this picture. Thank you I agree with Richard and recommend a visit to Riqueval, which hasn’t changed a great deal (apart from trees on the bank) and so is very relatable to young viewers. I participated in a battlefield study/staff ride with a party of international staff officers (NATO and Old Commonwealth) from HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and all became deeply thoughtful after discussing and surveying the scene. In the photo below the GOC is addressing his men from the parapet of the bridge on the left (which still stands and is accessible for your students). You can read about the action here: https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/latest-news/2018/october-2018/commemorating-the-attack-on-riqueval-bridge-one-of-the-greatest-battles-fought-by-the-british-army/ The following thread refers: Also see: Edited 29 September , 2022 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancre1917 Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 Try this WFA you tube account which sums up the Staffordshire brigade’s success brilliantly Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancre1917 Posted 29 September , 2022 Share Posted 29 September , 2022 Mike I have a brief account of the part played by 1/5 South Staffordshire regiment in crossing the canal. If you pm your email address, I’ll forward it to you Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitz_merc Posted 30 September , 2022 Author Share Posted 30 September , 2022 Well once again I feel honoured to be part of this wonderful group. Its ability to find useful information to support my trip and to share it so willingly is wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 30 September , 2022 Share Posted 30 September , 2022 Widow's pension card Image thanks to WFA/Fold3 She got the standard widow's £5 grant [for funeral/mourning expenses - so perhaps worth looking out for a local newspaper private announcement, ometimes with photo] and a 13/9 pw pension [standard for a private's widow under 45 without children] M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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